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Rajasthan to involve NGOs in water projects

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, OCT. 24. In a significant move, the Rajasthan Government has decided to involve the non-Government organisations (NGOs) in the implementation of projects in the water sector in view of successful intervention by voluntary agencies in the water conservation works in the State. Projects worth Rs. 2 crores will be given to NGOs during this year alone. The voluntary organisations will be given the task of implementing projects valued at Rs. 40 to 50 crores during next two to three years. The decision was taken at a meeting of Government officials with the representatives of NGOs, presided over by the Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje, at her official residence here on Saturday.

Ms. Raje said a high-level Task Force would also be set up shortly for ensuring planned development of infrastructure in the fields such as drinking and irrigation water, electricity and roads. The Task Force will be empowered to give technical advice to the State Government on suitable locations for projects in these sectors.

The State Government has laid special emphasis on optimum utilisation of water in view of its limited availability. Ms. Raje pointed out that rains were the source of 70 per cent of water available in the State and the NGOs were playing a significant role in ensuring people's participation in water conservation and preventing the wastage of potable water.

The Chief Minister felt that the society at large should get the benefit of water conservation efforts of voluntary bodies, while referring to the works undertaken by Sewa Mandir in Udaipur, Urmul in Churu and Sadguru Foundation in Jhalawar and Banswara districts. Their association with the Government schemes would herald a new chapter in the augmentation of water resources.

Ms. Raje said the State Government would also establish a special fund for an enhanced involvement of NGOs in the development works. The fund will comprise the Government's share, public contribution and loans from banks and financial institutions. Development works on a massive scale would be launched with its help, Ms. Raje added.

The meeting held discussion on a report submitted by a group that visited Orissa and Gujarat recently to witness the participation of voluntary bodies in the development works. The report has in particular highlighted the role of NGOs in generating mass awareness on the water-related issues in these States. The noted economist and convenor of the expert committee on integrated development of water resources, V.S. Vyas, highlighted the works taken up by the committee. The Principal Secretary, Water Resources, D.C. Samant, Irrigation Secretary, S.N. Thanvi, and the Secretary, Rural Development, Shyam S. Agrawal, listed the areas where the NGOs could render assistance.

Prominent among the representatives of voluntary organisations, who attended the meeting, were Jagdish Prasad Joshi of Vanvasi Kalayan Parishad, and Harnath Jagawat of Sadguru Foundation.

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