The Dhami government of the state is expecting a special grant in the Union Budget to revive traditional water sources in the hilly areas of the state and to give new life to the dried up springs. For this, the government has formed the Spring Shed and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARA). SARA needs financial support from the Center to bring the water conservation campaign on the ground in the state. The Union Budget is expected to be presented on February 1. Let us tell you that thousands of traditional water sources have been identified under SARA, which will require a huge amount of money to revive them. However, the state government has started the revival of water sources with its own financial resources. But due to limited financial resources, more funds are needed to give new life to all water sources and springs, drains and khals. This is the reason why the state government had requested special central assistance for SARA in the meeting called by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently for budget preparation. Now the state will keep an eye on the Union Budget regarding this. The deadline of Jal Jeevan Mission, which was started to provide drinking water to every household in villages and cities, is ending on March 31. Proposals of many schemes are still in progress under Jal Jeevan Mission in the state. In such a situation, the state wants to extend the deadline of Jal Jeevan Mission.
Help is also needed for maintenance and operation of pumping schemes
The state government wants central assistance for the maintenance and operation of pumping schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. The dependence on pumping schemes has increased in the state as compared to gravity schemes, but this has increased the expenditure for the smooth operation of the scheme. The state has to bear this expense. Therefore, the state government wants that the maintenance and operation of Jal Jeevan Mission scheme should also be covered under the centrally funded scheme in line with PMGSY.
Cooperation is also needed to complete the Song Dam project on time. There is a serious problem of degradation in ground water level in the Terai and plain areas of the state. To deal with this problem, work is going on on the Song Dam project worth Rs 2500 crore. The scheme has received financial approval under the Scheme for Special Assistance for Capital Investment. But there is a limited allocation for the project under the scheme. The government argues that it has limited financial resources. In view of the serious problem of degradation in ground water level, it is necessary to complete the project on time. Therefore, the state government has requested to include it in the centrally funded scheme.
