Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that providing clean drinking water to every citizen and irrigation water to every agricultural field remains a top priority of the State Government. Speaking at the state-level ‘Jal Mahotsav’ organized in Baddi on World Water Day, he emphasized that the Jal Shakti Department is implementing 10,000 schemes to ensure water availability across the state.
On the occasion, Mukesh Agnihotri announced grants of Rs. 2 crore each for the augmentation and installation of tube wells in the Doon and Nalagarh Assembly Constituencies, to be jointly funded by the Jal Shakti Department and the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority. He also confirmed the creation of 50 additional posts in each constituency to strengthen the department’s operations.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted ongoing initiatives under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with projects worth Rs. 6,000 crore completed and Rs. 1,227 crore in pending claims with the Centre. A new Rs. 2,000 crore scheme is being formulated to provide clean drinking water to every Assembly Constituency, alongside groundwater recharging and infrastructure augmentation programs.
Emphasizing water conservation, Mukesh Agnihotri urged officials to ensure summer preparedness and alternative water arrangements, noting that water is provided free of cost at the rural level. He also inaugurated a departmental exhibition, honoring women in water management with the ‘Neer Nari Samman’ and recognizing the dedication of department employees and Gram Panchayats managing water schemes.
The event included cultural programs on water conservation, and was attended by MLAs, senior Congress leaders, officials of the Jal Shakti Department, Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority, and other dignitaries.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
