PM: People’s role key in water conservation

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for people’s participation in water conservation, appealing to citizens to make it a success story like they did the Swachch Bharat mission.

Addressing the All India Annual State Ministers’ Conference on Water virtually in Bhopal, the Prime Minister said attempts by governments alone cannot make any programme successful, adding that water should be a subject of “cooperation, collaboration and coordination” among states.

Authorities should plan in advance in view of fast-paced urbanisation in the country, he said. “When the public is associated with a campaign, they also get to know the seriousness of the work. A sense of ownership also comes in the public towards any scheme or campaign,” Modi said.

“India has made major strides in water security. Our water vision towards 2047 will be a big contribution to Amrit Kaal,” said the PM. “The nation is working together to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district. Till now, 25,000 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed.”

Stressing that maximum work under the flagship MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) should be done on water, Modi called for spreading awareness among people for its conservation.

“Water is most consumed in sectors such as industry and farming, and awareness should be spread among them,” he said, advocating crop diversity and natural farming.

“Micro-irrigation should be promoted continuously by all the states”, he added.

The Prime Minister said the subject of water comes under the control of states as per the Constitution and it is their efforts that will go a long way in achieving the collective goals of the country. “Water Vision@2047 is an imporof tant dimension of the journey of Amrit Kaal for the next 25 years.”

Reiterating his vision of “whole of government” and “whole of the country”, the PM emphasised that all governments should work like a system. “Only the government’s efforts are not sufficient towards water conservation. A new chapter of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) needs to begin with multiple stakeholders from all sections of society,” Modi said. “In the campaigns related to water conservation, we have to involve people, social organisations and civil society as much as possible.”

Highlighting the importance of technology, he said, “Technologies like geo-mapping and geosensing are playing an important role in the work of water conservation. Various startups are also cooperating in this work.”

He proposed that panchayats lead the Jal Jeevan Mission, and after the work is completed, they should also certify that sufficient and clean water was made available. “Every gram panchayat can also submit a monthly or quarterly report online stating the number of houses that are getting tap water in the village,” he said.

Narendra Modi