Jaipur, Rajasthan:
In a significant move to combat water scarcity and improve groundwater levels, the Government of Rajasthan has taken a major step forward under the ‘Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (MJSA) 2.0.’ The Department of Watershed Development and Soil Conservation has issued additional financial sanctions totaling ₹688.28 crore for the second and third phases of the campaign.
Details of Financial Allocation
Smt. Kalpana Agarwal, Director and Ex-officio Special Secretary of the Department of Watershed Development and Soil Conservation, provided details on the funding, which is crucial for accelerating the campaign:
- Second Phase: ₹488.28 crore has been released from the Water Conservation Cess Fund.
- Third Phase: ₹200 crore has been sanctioned from the State Fund for the financial year 2026-27.
- Cumulative Allocation: With this latest approval, the state government has sanctioned a total of ₹988.28 crore across various phases of the campaign.
Core Objectives and Activities
The funds will be utilized to strengthen basic water conservation infrastructure across the state:
- Water Harvesting Structures: Construction of check dams, percolation tanks, and other water storage infrastructure.
- Groundwater Recharge: Implementing measures to store rainwater and raise the groundwater table.
- Transparent Monitoring: The government has mandated that a separate account be maintained for all work funded under this grant, and periodic progress reports must be submitted to the committee for review.
Focus on Newly Formed Districts
This financial sanction places special emphasis on newly formed districts. Smt. Agarwal clarified that the funds allocated for these new districts will be transferred through the Personal Deposit (PD) accounts of the former parent districts to ensure there is no delay in project execution.
Furthermore, orders have been issued to transfer the ₹200 crore earmarked for the third phase directly into the personal deposit accounts of project managers across 33 districts, ensuring that work can begin immediately at the grassroots level.
Disclaimer: This news report is based on an official press release issued by the department. For detailed information regarding water conservation projects or to view the list of works sanctioned in your specific district, please visit the official portal of the Department of Watershed Development and Soil Conservation.
