CM announces new horticulture initiatives, praises water campaign

Time of India

2 days ago

Indore: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday praised the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, a water conservation campaign, which commenced from Gudi Padwa on March 30 and concluded on June 30 in Madhya Pradesh.
The campaign concluded in Khandwa, that saw construction of over 1.29 lakh water structures, making it the top district in the country for groundwater conservation.
While addressing the gathering, the CM said that the campaign became a public movement, leading to various innovations in water source conservation across all districts. Under the MGNREGA scheme, new farm ponds, Amrit Sarovars and well recharge pits were constructed, and water structures were renovated.
Yadav announced that Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan would now continue in a new form, under the name 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. From June 30 to August 15, tree plantation drives will be conducted on govt land with the support of the Horticulture Department. Following this, from August 15 to September 15, plantation efforts will extend to private lands.
To encourage greenery and horticulture, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department has devised a new scheme, providing Rs 3 lakh assistance to 30,000 women across the state to develop orchards on one acre of land.
This assistance will be provided in three phases annually for plantation, fencing, irrigation facilities and other necessary works. This initiative aims to develop 'Ek Bagia Maa Ke Naam' on 30,000 acres across the state over the next three years, increasing fruit production and greenery with a total state expenditure of Rs 900 crore.
He said that 2.39 lakh 'Jal Dooth' (water ambassadors) contributed to water source conservation, becoming the campaign's torch-bearers.
A total of 38,000 new farm ponds were created. In Khandwa district, over 1 lakh wells were recharged at a cost of Rs 254 crore, earning the district the first position nationally in this effort. He declared that the Indore is now number one in both cleanliness and water conservation.
The CM highlighted that over 140 large drains meeting more than 57 rivers have been identified under the campaign. Ninety-one watershed projects have been developed in 36 districts of the state, and 9,000 water structures have been prepared for agricultural irrigation.
During the event, the CM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 1,568 crore. He also inaugurated the Jawer Micro Irrigation Project and three other irrigation projects in Khandwa district, along with 74 renovated water structures across the state. A new software for monitoring and management of watershed projects was also launched.
Yadav announced an allocation of Rs 174 crore for the construction of Khandwa bypass and other roads.
He said that due to various initiatives, the maximum temperature in Nimad decreased by four degrees.
He projected that the state's irrigation area would increase from 55 lakh hectares to 100 lakh hectares in the next five years, with benefits from the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project for Bundelkhand, Parvati-Kalisingh-Chambal (PKC) for Malwa-Chambal and Tapi Mega Recharge Project for Nimad. Outstanding 'Jal Yoddhas' (water warriors) were also honoured during the event.
The chief minister announced that before Simhastha 2028, Omkareshwar's Ekatma Dham would be developed along the lines of Ujjain's Mahakal Lok. He also announced that beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna Yojana will receive an additional Rs 250 as a token of auspiciousness before Raksha Bandhan. After Diwali, from Bhai Dooj, Ladli Behnas will receive Rs 1,500 per month. The state govt aims to fulfil its commitment by depositing Rs 3,000 into the accounts of Ladli Behna beneficiaries by the next elections.
On the occasion, the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel read a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his message, congratulated the people of Madhya Pradesh for the success of the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan', driven by the hard work, dedication and faith of millions. He extended best wishes to the 'Jal Doot', women from self-help groups and farmers involved in water conservation and tree plantation.
PM Modi remarked, "It is a pleasant feeling to see the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan' transform into a public movement under the guidance of chief minister and his team." He also commended the organisation of the 'Watershed Conference' alongside the closing ceremony in Khandwa. He highlighted Khandwa's achievement in constructing water harvesting structures as an inspiration to others.