Latest news with #CatchtheRain
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Visit aspirational dists, spend at least 24 hrs: PM Modi to ministers
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi Wednesday asked all ministers to visit aspirational districts and blocks and spend at least 24 hours there, The Indian Express has learnt. This was conveyed during the meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, the first after Operation Sindoor, under the PM's chairmanship and went on for over three-and-a-half hours. Without mentioning Operation Sindoor, the PM in his closing remarks is learnt to have told the ministers that the world has seen India's defence might. The nature of war has changed and all can happen in just 20 minutes, he is learnt to have told the ministers. During the meeting, Cabinet Secretary T V Samanathan made a presentation on '11 years of transformational governance', detailing the NDA government's achievements. Secretaries of the central government were present. It is learnt that Modi asked the ministers and secretaries to not compare the last 10 years of achievements with the previous 10 years and focus on the targets set for the coming years. Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Secretary Debashree Mukherjee made a presentation on her ministry's 'Catch the Rain' campaign. The PM suggested that MGNREGS funds should be used for water conservation works like it is used in other schemes PMAY-G. During the meeting, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava made a presentation on obesity. In March, the Prime Minister had termed obesity as the 'root cause of many diseases' and appealed to the people to 'reduce the intake of cooking oil by 10 per cent in your daily diet as it leads to obesity'. NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam made a presentation on Aspirational District Program (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP). It was pointed out that 5 Union ministers have not visited aspirational districts assigned to them. The PM then asked ministers to visit aspirational districts and spend at least 24 hours there. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Catch the Rain: GB Nagar departments told to submit progress and plans
Gautam Budh Nagar dstrict magistrate Manish Kumar Verma on Monday directed all departments to submit geo-tagged reports of their ongoing and completed works under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, in a decisive push for rainwater conservation ahead of the monsoon season, officials said. He also ordered the preparation and submission of department-specific water conservation plans. The directives were issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by the DM to assess the implementation of the 'Catch the Rain' campaign in the district. The campaign, focused on increasing groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting, is being implemented as a joint initiative by the central and state governments. 'This is a priority initiative at both the state and national levels. All departments must ensure their activities are monitored, geo-tagged, and updated regularly on the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) portal. Officers must personally ensure that the data uploaded is accurate and timely,' DM Verma said. The DM directed that rooftop rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) be made operational and functional in all government and semi-government buildings, including office complexes, primary schools, anganwadi centres, community health centres, panchayat bhawans, and high-rise residential societies. Additionally, parks and public places in urban areas must adopt effective rainwater collection mechanisms. As of May 2025, approximately 100 high-rise buildings across Gautam Budh Nagar have functional rainwater harvesting systems, according to groundwater department records. Among government establishments, around 60% have operational systems in place. 'Of nearly 1,900 government buildings in the district, 1,380 are currently equipped with functional rainwater harvesting systems. We are planning to conduct fresh audits by the end of June to reassess the status,' said Ankita Rai, hydrologist at the groundwater department. 'While there is no formal deadline for completing installations, our department is focused on raising awareness among residents and institutions. We encourage proactive adoption of rainwater harvesting and regular maintenance of existing systems to ensure long-term functionality,' she added. The DM also said that traditional water bodies must be revived. He instructed officials to carry out de-silting, cleaning, and restoration of ponds and rivers, including clearing obstructions from Amrit Sarovars. 'Renovation of traditional water sources, borewell recharge, watershed development, and plantation along rivers and ponds should be key areas of focus under the campaign,' he said. Officials said that a special afforestation drive will be conducted along the banks of the Hindon in coordination with the forest department. The irrigation department was told to coordinate with forest officials to undertake plantation on a large scale near ponds and riverbanks. 'Other departments carrying out plantation must also ensure their data is uploaded to the Jal Shakti portal,' the DM added. He also instructed development authorities and municipal bodies to install water treatment plants at locations where untreated sewage water is being discharged into ponds, to prevent groundwater contamination. He also called on the education department and groundwater department to run widespread awareness campaigns and ensure that water conservation becomes a mass movement. The progress of such outreach must also be recorded and updated on the JSA portal, he said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
How Noida plans to catch the rain
1 2 3 Noida: District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma held a meeting with stakeholders on Monday and directed officials to ensure maximum rainwater conservation during the coming monsoon and to prioritise the Catch the Rain campaign under the Jal Shakti Mission. The DM directed officials to install rooftop rainwater harvesting systems on all govt and semi-govt buildings. He also emphasised the need to renovate and reuse traditional waterbodies, recharge borewells, develop watersheds, intensify tree plantation, rejuvenate small rivers, and other water conservation-related activities relevant to the district. Verma further asked the officials to ensure that all obstructions in the path of water flow to Amrit Sarovars are removed. Emphasising the need for effective rainwater harvesting in all parks and public places in urban areas, he added, "Office buildings, primary schools, Anganwadi centres, community health centres, panchayat buildings, and high-rise societies should check if the installed water harvest structures are working properly, and those not yet fitted should complete it. " Minor irrigation department officials were also instructed to coordinate with forest department officials to conduct extensive tree plantation campaigns along ponds and the Hindon river. The DM also stressed the importance of ensuring that information on tree plantations conducted by other departments is fed into the Jal Shakti Abhiyan portal. "Install water treatment plants to purify the dirty water from drains that flow into ponds, to prevent groundwater pollution," Verma told officials at the meeting. Additionally, officials from the education department, groundwater department, and Nehru Yuva Kendra were instructed to promote the 'Catch the Rain' campaign across the district through public awareness programmes, so that water conservation becomes a people's movement. He also said that the related progress should be fed into the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) portal. Officials were directed to ensure that the progress of completed tasks on the JSA portal is uploaded with personal attention.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM Patel launches construction of recharge wells in Banaskantha
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) May 30 (ANI): The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, has launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain - 2025 campaign, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As part of this, construction of recharge wells has started in the Banaskantha, following Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari approach. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister and in line with the objectives of the 'Catch the Rain' campaign, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the construction of recharge wells at Chodungri village in Dantiwada Taluka of Banaskantha district. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shankar Chaudhary, along with other ministers and dignitaries, graced the event. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries flagged off the JCB and tractor, ceremoniously marking the beginning of the recharge well construction work. CM Patel stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cultivated a tradition of involving people's strength--Jan Shakti--in the nation's development and has championed the philosophy of 'Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas.' He said that at the core of Gujarat's inclusive development today lies the Prime Minister's vision, built on the pillars of Jal Shakti, Jan Shakti, Urja Shakti, Raksha Shakti and Gyan Shakti. The Chief Minister highlighted that the Prime Minister consistently underscores water as the cornerstone of development. When Narendra Modi assumed office as Chief Minister of Gujarat, the state grappled with severe shortages of both electricity and water. His visionary leadership empowered us to convert challenges into opportunities. He directed public efforts into a large-scale campaign dedicated to water conservation, storage, construction of check dams, and development of reservoirs to effectively address the water crisis. As a result of these efforts, Gujarat transitioned from being a water-deficient state to a water-surplus one. The Prime Minister has consistently guided us to stay prepared for any potential crisis, with foresight and strategic planning. With the noble aim of raising the groundwater levels across the country, the Prime Minister launched the nationwide Jal Shakti Abhiyan in 2019. Under his guidance, water conservation efforts involving public participation have been actively carried out throughout the nation. To raise the groundwater table in Banaskantha, the state government plans to construct nearly 50,000 recharge wells. Of these, 25,000 recharge wells are to be built with the support of Banas Dairy. CM congratulated Shankarbhai Chaudhary and his team for Banas Dairy's committed contribution to this initiative. Prime Minister Modi has given the mantra 'Water from the border should stay within the border, and water from the village should serve the village,' and under his leadership, water conservation efforts at all levels across the state have been initiated with active public participation. To support the irrigation system, boost agricultural production, and deepen groundwater levels, we have launched the Recharge Well Construction Campaign through rainwater storage and conservation, said CM. The Chief Minister stated that in our ancient culture, water is considered a divine blessing, and rivers are revered as mothers. Furthermore, water irrigation is a crucial element for farmers, who are the true pioneers of the agricultural revolution, to succeed in farming. Natural farming offers solutions to many problems. With adequate water availability in the state, agriculture and crop production have significantly increased. To further enrich farming, the focus has shifted towards chemical-free and natural farming practices. The use of chemical fertilisers harms both the soil and human health. Today, there is a rising incidence of serious health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attacks, even among the youth. To address this, the Prime Minister has advocated the mantra of 'Back to Basics' and strongly promoted the campaign for natural farming. PM Modi has inspired us with a vision that combines environmental preservation, patriotism, public awareness, and a deep sense of responsibility toward future generations to build a Viksit Bharat. Advocating for sustainable development in harmony with nature, he has launched nationwide initiatives like 'Ek Ped, Maa ke Naam' to enhance green cover alongside water conservation. Under the mantra 'Vocal for Local,' the Prime Minister has also charted a path to strengthen indigenous production. By supporting natural farming, he has laid down a roadmap to protect the health of generations to come. Through these commitments, he has called upon the nation to realise the goal of a Viksit Bharat@ 2047. The Chief Minister was confident that the water conservation efforts underway today will secure water resources for future generations. CM Bhupendra Patel congratulated visionary Prime Minister and the nation's armed forces on the remarkable success of Operation Sindoor. He remarked that this achievement has once again showcased the courage and heroism of our military, uniting the entire country in pride through the 'Tiranga Yatra.' With great pride, he called upon everyone to honour and salute our soldiers by chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil stated that India is home to 18% of the world's livestock, with Banaskantha district having the highest number of animals. Water is an essential factor for these animals as well as for sustaining life. However, it may surprise you to know that only 4 per cent of the country's water is potable. Out of 700 districts in India, 150 are designated as dark zones in terms of water availability, including Banaskantha, one of the largest districts in North Gujarat. Efforts to lift Banaskantha out of this dark zone have been underway for the past year under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, continuous efforts are being made nationwide to conserve water through initiatives like Amrit Sarovar, Narmada Yojana, and Sauni Yojana. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had emphasised the need to connect rivers, and the current Prime Minister is fulfilling this vision by working on linking rivers such as the Narmada, Sabarmati, and rivers in Kutch. Moreover, a Rs 77,000 crore project has been approved to connect three rivers across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. To realise the Prime Minister's vision of a Viksit Bharat@ 2047, it is crucial to meet the country's water needs not merely by building dams but by adopting the 'Catch the Rain' approach--harvesting rainwater and recharging groundwater resources. On this occasion, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Shankar Chaudhary, stated that PM Modi has launched a significant initiative to tackle water scarcity in the country's dark zone districts, with Banaskantha being the first selected in Gujarat. Under this effort, Banas Dairy will construct 25,000 recharge wells in the district, offering farmers 50 per cent assistance. He emphasised the need to continue this campaign for the next four years, with a vision extending over ten years. To further green Banaskantha, Banas Dairy has also worked on revitalising the mountains by dispersing seed balls. He also spoke about the success of Operation Sindoor. He said that everyone must make collective efforts to recharge more groundwater. Chaudhary urged that this campaign should continue for the next four years, with plans formulated for the next ten years accordingly. To make Banaskantha greener, Banaskantha Dairy has also worked on throwing seed balls on the hills to promote vegetation growth. He also spoke about the success of Operation Sindoor. Archana Varma, Managing Director of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, briefed the attendees about the ministry's ongoing work, while Banaskantha District Collector Mihir Patel warmly welcomed everyone. (ANI)
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
CM emphasises role of school management committees to improve education quality
Gandhinagar: Gujarat chief minister on Thursday conducted a video conference with approximately 4.25 lakh School Management Committee (SMC) members representing govt, primary, and secondary schools across the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The chief minister emphasised the importance of SMCs and how they are essential for delivering value-based education . He urged their participation to improve educational quality in village schools. Education Minister Kuber Dindor and minister of state for education Praful Pansheriya also participated in the event. The CM sought suggestions from SMC members during the interactive session while highlighting the govt's dedication to contemporary education. He noted that teachers now need to focus on comprehensive education and emphasised that SMCs should assist teachers in improving educational standards in local schools. Patel urged SMC members to hold regular meetings and evaluate various aspects, including school infrastructure, student attendance, and academic performance. The chief minister instructed teachers and community leaders to implement the nine resolutions for Viksit Bharat at the primary education level. These include initiatives like 'Catch the Rain', 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', promoting exercise for health, cleanliness, disease-free living, and natural farming.
