Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani today offered shramdan in deepening the Khopala village 24 bigha talav in Botad district as part of the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan-2018.

He complimented district administration for carrying out 194 Jal Sanchay works as against a target of 179 works as ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ in 190 villages, thus inching towards 120% achievement.

The month-long statewide campaign, which started on Gujarat’s Foundation Day on May 1 last with the help of 527 JCB machines, has now 4,600 JCB machines.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the government has decided to set up 10 desalination plants along the coast and announce a gutter water recycling policy soon. The objective is to ensure adequate water for coming generation and water scarcity a matter of past.

Replying to corruption charges of Rs.2,400-crore in Jal Sanchay Abhiyan, Mr. Rupani said the entire campaign is of just Rs.200-crore. He said the local leaders have no face to speak about corruption, as they are supporting Lalu Prasad imprisoned in fodder scam.

the campaign is for deepening 13,000 water bodies to create 11,000-lakh cubic feet additional water storage facility, reviving 32 rivers in the state, increasing dairy and farm yield, and increase income of farmers and cattle owners. The government offered Rs.3-lakh assistance to cattle farms having more than seven cattle heads, and 70 per cent subsidy for drip irrigation.

Botad District In-charge and Energy Minister Saurabhbhai Patel said that 2,000 hectares are brought under drip irrigation from the Rs.70-crore Gema dam under a pilot project. He appealed to the farmers to switch over to drip irrigation.

Jaldhara Trust President Padmashri Mathurbhai Savani thanked Chief Minister Mr. Rupani for his concern for Jal Sanchay Abhiyan.

Botad and Gadadha taluka panchayat presidents felicitated Chief Minister. The Botad Milk Producers’ Association presented a cheque of Rs.10-lakh towards the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan.

Those present on the occasion included MP Bharatiben Shiyal, former Minister Atmaram Parmar, Nanubhai Vanani, BJP District President Sureshbhai Godhani, District Collector Sujit Kumar and DDP Ashsish Kumar.

– Information