PM Modi promises tap water to all homes in Rajasthan, slams Cong for water disputes between states

Emphasising the importance of water in Rajasthan, where severe droughts occur in many areas while in other regions, river water flows unused into the sea, the PM highlighted that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee envisioned linking rivers to address this issue and formed a special committee for it. The PM said that the goal was to transfer excess water from rivers to drought-affected areas, solving both flood and drought problems, and that the Supreme Court also supported this vision, but the previous governments never aimed to alleviate water issues, claiming that they instead promoted water disputes between states.

He alleged the Congress party encouraged water disputes among states rather than resolving them, “Congress, samadhan ke bajaye, rajyon ke beech jal vivad ko he barhawa deti rahi. Rajasthan ne to is kuniti ke karan bahut kuch bhugta hai, yahan ki mata beheno ne bhugta hai, yahan ke kisano ne bhugta hai (Instead of finding a solution, Congress has been promoting water disputes between states. Rajasthan has suffered a lot due to this bad policy, its mothers, sisters and farmers have suffered).

He said that the delayed ERCP is proof of Congress’s intention. “The way Congress delayed ERCP is also a direct proof of Congress’s intentions. They talk big in the name of farmers. But they neither do anything for farmers nor do they let others do it,” he said.

Contrasting the BJP government with the Congress rule, PM Modi said that his government believes in cooperation and solution as against opposition and obstacles, adding that his government has approved and expanded the ERCP. The PM said that as soon as governments were formed in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan last year, an agreement was reached on the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project, which would interlink the Chambal River and its tributaries, including Parbati, Kalisindh, Kuno, Banas, Banas, Ruparel, Gambhiri, and Mej rivers. Highlighting the benefits of the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, Modi said it will provide irrigation and drinking water to 21 districts in Rajasthan while accelerating the development of both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. On the occasion, the PM also mixed water of different rivers in a pot to symbolise the interlinking of rivers.

The foundation stone for the Isarda Link Project was also laid on Tuesday, with PM Modi remarking that an agreement was also reached to bring water from Tajewala to Shekhawati, benefiting both Haryana and Rajasthan.

He recalled his efforts as Gujarat CM to bring Narmada water to various parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. He said that senior leaders from Rajasthan, including Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Jaswant Singh, appreciated his efforts which brought water to Rajasthan districts including Jalore, Barmer, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Nagaur, and Hanumangarh.

The PM also attacked the Congress party over paper leaks and employment scams, stating that it had become the identity of the previous government. He said that the youth had suffered and now the process of ironing out the issues is being done by the incumbent government. Additionally, he said that the people of Rajasthan had to pay more for petrol and diesel, as compared to other states, during the previous government and now the people have received relief in terms of their prices.

On the occasion, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also shared the achievements of his government in the last one year. Apart from CM Sharma, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav and others were also present on the occasion.

PM Modi also said the central government is constantly trying to improve the economic condition of villages and focusing on promoting every means of earning there. The PM said that north India will get direct connectivity to Kandla from the Jamnagar-Amritsar Economic Corridor. “Rajasthan’s transport sector will benefit. Big warehouses will be built and new job opportunities will be created,” he said.

“The BJP makes honest efforts to fulfil every promise it makes. The BJP has been getting huge support in states. The country has given the party the opportunity to serve the country for the third time in a row in Lok Sabha,” he said.

Thanking the previous governments of Rajasthan headed by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for laying a strong foundation for development and then Vasundhara Raje for taking forward the heritage of good governance, Modi said the current government is now actively taking efforts to further strengthen the heritage of good governance. He added that the works undertaken in the last one year shows the impression of the same.

The PM said that more has been accomplished in the last ten years than what previous governments had in 5-6 decades after Independence.

Talking about women empowerment, he said 10 crore women, including lakhs from Rajasthan, joined Self-Help Groups in the last decade. He also highlighted the government’s women-specific programmes such as the Lakhpati Didi scheme, Namo Drone Didi Scheme and Bima Sakhi Scheme.

The PM encouraged party workers to work towards water conservation and make people aware about it, saying the BJP is not just the biggest political party but a huge social movement.

Earlier, Modi reached the meeting venue in an open jeep, flanked on his left by the CM and BJP state president Madan Rathore on his right. The vehicle was escorted by a group of women carrying ‘Kalash’ on head.

Road crash leaves four BJP workers injured

Meanwhile, four BJP workers were injured when their SUV collided with a truck in Sawai Madhopur district on Tuesday, police said.

The accident took place when the four were on their way to attend the PM rally.

One of the seriously injured has been rushed to a Jaipur hospital while the rest are undergoing treatment in Sawai Madhopur, the police said.

–With PTI inputs