AMN /
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for generating a mass movement for water conservation and rainwater harvesting in a comprehensive manner.
After reviewing the drought situation in Rajasthan and Jharkhand with respective Chief Ministers in New Delhi yesterday, he said, youth organisations like NCC , NSS, NYKS, and Scouts and Guides should be involved to create water storage structures.
Emphasizing the use of technology, the Prime Minister asked the state governments to identify all water bodies through unique numbers and geo-tagging.
During the meeting with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje, Mr. Modi spoke on the importance of waste water management. He said, traditional water storage structures in the State should be revived in a big way through public participation.
Mrs. Raje also mentioned the successful example of Bavdi revival in Nagore district, and assured of taking it up on a larger scale. An official release issued after the meeting said, an amount of over 911 crore rupees has been released to Rajasthan under the National Disaster Response Fund. This is in addition to over 1261 crore rupees released as central share of State Disaster Response Fund.
During the meeting with Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Mr. Modi emphasized on the importance of regular monitoring of the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
He also called for generating a mass movement for soil health cards. He said soil testing should be developed as a skill, and loans can be given for setting up labs through MUDRA.
An official release issued after the meeting said, over 416 crore rupees have been released to Jharkhand as central share of State Disaster Response Fund.
The meetings are part of the Prime Minister’s review of water scarcity situation in 11 states. Mr. Modi has already held separate meetings with the Chief Ministers of Telengana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.