Ground-Breaking Ceremony of the New Farm Pond

With the goal of making agricultural fields self-sufficient in water management, the Commission Chairman performed the traditional Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone for a new Farm Pond (Khet Talai) within the KVK campus. This newly initiated farm pond will not only enhance the rainwater harvesting capacity of the center but will also serve as a live demonstration model for visiting local farmers.

Farmer Dialogue: Aiming for “Less Water, Higher Yield”

Following the ceremony, a special farmer interaction program was organized at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Addressing the progressive farmers of the region, Shri Rajendra Kumar Nayak strongly emphasized transitioning toward smart, modern agricultural practices.

Key highlights from the interactive session include:

• Adopting Micro-Irrigation: Expressing deep concern over depleting groundwater tables, he urged farmers to shift away from traditional flood irrigation to micro-irrigation systems, such as sprinklers and drip irrigation networks, to optimize crop yields with minimal water.
• The Vital Need for ‘Khet Talai’: The Chairman remarked that saving every drop of water is our biggest collective responsibility. In today’s scenario, establishing a dedicated farm pond in every agricultural field has become an absolute necessity.
• Shift to Natural & Organic Farming: To mitigate the hazardous effects of chemical fertilizers and improve long-term soil health, he encouraged the farming community to actively embrace organic farming methodologies.

Concluding his address, he called upon the people of Karauli to drive active public participation in the ‘Vande Ganga Campaign‘ and pledge to secure every single drop of seasonal rainwater.

Disclaimer: This news report is prepared based on the official press release issued by the Information and Public Relations Office, Karauli (Government of Rajasthan). It is intended purely for informational purposes to spread awareness regarding government environmental campaigns and agricultural updates. For specific guidelines, technical dimensions, or subsidy structures regarding farm ponds, readers are advised to visit the official portal of the Rajasthan Agriculture Department.

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.

To ensure seamless implementation and robust grassroots coordination, a high-level review meeting was held at the Karauli Collectorate Auditorium under the chairmanship of District Collector Akshay Godara.

Transforming Water Conservation into a ‘People’s Movement’

During the meeting, District Collector Akshay Godara issued strict directives to all departmental officers to work with absolute synchronization. The Collector emphasized that water conservation must not remain a mere administrative formality. Instead, it should be transformed into a widespread public movement at both rural and urban levels. Every gram panchayat and urban local body will monitor daily progress, which will be uploaded directly onto the state portal.

From Voluntary Service to ‘Jal Gaurav Awards’: Key Campaign Highlights

This 11-day campaign is designed as a mission-mode operation entirely dedicated to water security and environmental preservation. Key activities will include:

• Shramdaan (Voluntary Labor) & Cleanliness: Extensive cleaning drives will be conducted around rivers, canals, old dams, traditional stepwells, and village ponds. Public places like cow shelters (Gaushalas), bus stands, railway stations, and drinking water sources will undergo intensive sanitization.
• Cultural and Ritualistic Connect: The campaign’s launch day will feature the traditional worship of water bodies, ‘Vande Ganga’ Kalash Yatras, morning processions (Prabhat Pheris), and ‘Peepal tree’ worship. In the evening, traditional lamp-lighting ceremonies (Deepdan) will illuminate local water bodies.
• Special Gram Sabhas (May 26): On the second day of the campaign, special village council meetings (Gram Sabhas) will be convened across all panchayats to pass approvals for new water structures and administer a water conservation pledge to citizens.
• Defense & Police Personnel Contribution (May 31): On the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima, personnel from the police, army, and paramilitary forces will dedicate a day to voluntary labor (Shramdaan) for rejuvenating water bodies. Additionally, water bowls (Parindas) will be set up for birds.
• Immediate Benefits for Farmers: The Agriculture and Horticulture Departments will expedite approvals for modern irrigation technologies, including sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and farm ponds.
• Honoring Water Warriors: The campaign will culminate on June 5 with a grand closing ceremony at the district headquarters, where individuals and organizations demonstrating exemplary work in water conservation will be honored with the prestigious ‘Jal Gaurav Samman’.

The high-profile meeting saw the participation of Superintendent of Police Lokesh Sonwal, Additional District Collector Hemraj Paridwal, Chief Executive Officer and Campaign Nodal Officer Lakhan Singh, along with all district-level department heads and block officers who connected via video conferencing.

Disclaimer:

This article has been compiled for informational purposes based on the official press release issued by the Information and Public Relations Office (DIPR), Karauli, Government of Rajasthan. While utmost care has been taken to ensure the authenticity of the information, readers and participating organizations are advised to cross-verify the specific timelines, event schedules, and official guidelines through the state government’s administrative portals.