The Central Government has released Rs 4,369 crore in grants to Gujarat under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan for rainwater harvesting over the past three years. In addition, 188 projects totalling Rs 651 crore for the state’s water body revitalisation have been sanctioned by the Centre as part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0).
Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary responded to a question from Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani by stating that the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana’s watershed development component facilitated the Centre to allocate a total of Rs 218 crore to Gujarat over the past three years.
The minister added that major advancements were made in Gujarat’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain initiative in 2024. 15,848 watershed development projects were completed, 2,855 water conservation and rainfall harvesting projects were finished, 3,305 traditional water bodies were restored, and 6,009 reuse and recharge structures were built.
In order to encourage rainwater harvesting, Nathwani sought information about the work being done both in rural and urban areas, the funds provided under different schemes and whether or not states are receiving any incentives. A sizeable portion of Rs 39,011 crore of the authorised plan size of Rs 77,650 crore for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0 Mission has been set aside for the water supply sector.
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