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Watershed project okayed

Special Correspondent

Rajasthan Government signs MoU

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with ITC Rural Development Trust for development of watershed project in Bhilwara district's Mandalgarh tehsil. The MOU, signed at a function presided over by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Kalu Lal Gujjar, is said to be the first initiative of its kind in watershed development.

The partnership was aimed at setting up a model watershed project in Kalyanpura panchayat samiti area in Mandalgarh utilising the knowledge and expertise of the private sector, Mr.Gujjar said.

The project would be executed by the panchayat with the support of a project management committee (PMC).

The PMC would have three members from the Trust and two from the panchayat and would be chaired by a professional, to be appointed by the Trust.

The PMC would prepare a detailed project report through participatory rural appraisal and after approval from Zila Parishad, would execute it with the guidance of the panchayat, Dr.Ambasta, representative of ITC Rural Development Trust, said.

The project would also focus on watershed plus activities such as efficient water use, agri marketing, crop diversification and micro credit.

"The need for public-private partnership was felt to bring expertise and professionalism of the private sector in watershed projects so that optimum results could be achieved and a replicable model is set up for demonstration and training," said Ram Lubhaya, Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Rajasthan has a similar experiment in PPP going on in Rural Business Hubs for the marketing of rural products with the support of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

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