Govt, public must work together for water-reliance campaign:CM

In view of Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan beginning this month, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today called upon general public, MPs, MLAs, and other public representatives from all parties to work collectively for its success.
"Every one should come forward and contribute for the harvesting and conservation of water keeping in view the depleting underground water level and insufficient surface water available in the state," Raje said.
She was today addressing the sensitization workshop organised for MPs, MLAs and other public representatives here.
Chief Minister said Rajasthan covered 11 per cent land in the country but has only 1 per cent of total available water.

"The state has insufficient amount of surface water and to increase surface water and ground water level we have to conserve available water and harvest rain water," she said.
Raje said Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan would not be a government programme, it would be a public movement which required participation from MPs, MLAs and other public representatives from all parties, officers, social organizations, religious organizations and trusts, NGOs and people of Rajasthan.

"All of us have to work collectively for the success of the campaign so that people of the villages selected for the initial phase of the campaign can get benefit during the coming monsoon season," she added.

Raje said water conservation activities will increase ground water level, dry water bodies would get water and water flow from one river basin to other river basin will make dry rivers alive.
She said out of 16.05 cubic meter rain water 4 cubic meter water goes waste which is a matter of concern.
She said along with water conservation and watershed activities the state government is willing to set up a drinking water grid to increase ground water level in the state.
Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also noticed the efforts being made by the state government for water conservation through this campaign.

"A list should be prepared about the proposed visit of ministers-in-charge, MPs, MLAs and other public representatives in the villages during the campaign," Raje said.