On the initiative of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the MoU was signed with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Patil, MoS, Jal Shakti, V Somanna and Secretary, Jal Shakti Ministry, Ashok KK Meena, were among those present on the occasion.
Trinamul Congress MP Ritabrata Banerjee, who has been regularly raising questions on Bengal, had raised a question in the Rajya Sabha to the minister of Jal Shakti if the DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) had released to the state 27,000 lakh cubic metres of water since 18 June.
Emphasizing water security as a crucial pillar in realizing the vision of "Viksit Bharat," Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil stated that the Narendra Modi Government is working towards ensuring water security by 2047.
Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil asked the states to evolve a consensus on their respective river interlinking projects for the progress in the development of the country.
“Bhu-Neer” is an advanced portal developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Raman Kant, fondly called the ‘Riverman of India’, is a big name in the field of river conservation. He is lauded for reviving East Kali river's source at Muzzafarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.
Members from the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, as well as representatives from the NITI Aayog and different central ministries, attended the conference.
The programme, held virtually, was attended by Dr. W.G. Prasanna Kumar, Chairman, MGNCRE, Ms. Tuti Sandhya, Resource Person, MGNCRE, Principals of various colleges of Khurda district, faculties, NSS Program Officers and volunteers.
In 2019-20, the Central government had allocated Rs 1,206 crore to Uttar Pradesh for the implementation of JJM.
To ensure water availability and treatment of used water, in 91.9 thousand schools, rainwater harvesting and in 1.05 lakh schools, greywater management systems have been put in place.
