New Delhi: In a bid to make the Jal Shakti Abhiyan successful, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria has sought the support and participation of all MPs. The minister wrote personal letters to all the MPs of both houses, asking them to support the ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain” campaign in their respective constituencies and states.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of world water day on March 22, 2021, the campaign aims at tapping rainwater by constructing artificial recharge structures, revitalizing existing ponds and water bodies, creating new water bodies, provisioning check dams, rejuvenating wetlands and rivers before the onset of monsoon.
Kataria's letter provided details about the campaign to the MPs and also informed them about the progress already made. Kataria asked the MPs to become brand ambassadors for the campaign and help in sensitizing the people to conserve rainwater during the upcoming monsoon season.“We all must come together and rise above the party lines to address the common problem of depleting groundwater levels and water scarcity, in public interest.” Kataria added.
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In the last 2 months after the launch, the Abhiyan has made noticeable achievements, despite the severe challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ministry of Rural Development has reported completion of construction of 1.64 lakh water conservation and rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures, incurring an expenditure of Rs 5,360 crore, while work is in progress on 1.82 lac additional structures. 37,428 traditional structures and existing water bodies have been renovated to date with an expenditure of Rs 2,666 crore and 42,000 additional structures are expected to be rejuvenated shortly.
Kataria added that “The Prime Minister is leading from the front. He has written letters to all 2.5 lakh Gram Sarpanchs as well as Chief Ministers of all the states to actively participate and contribute towards the success of this Campaign. His efforts speak volumes about the firm resolve to work in the field of water conservation. With these sincere efforts, supported by public participation, I am confident that soon we will be able to transform “Jal- aandolan” into a “Jan-aandolan.”
