Latest news with #JalShaktiMinistry
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Bhadradri Kothagudem Collector earns praise for promoting community-driven water conservation efforts under JSJB initiative
Bhadradri Kothagudem Collector Jitesh V. Patil has earned wide appreciation from the Ministry of Jal Shakti for his pro-active role in promoting community-driven water conservation efforts under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative in the predominantly tribal dominated district. According to official sources, the construction of low-cost soak pits involving various government departments and all stakeholders in a collaborative mode and the impactful on-ground efforts under the JSJB initiative from April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, in the district came in for praise by the Jal Shakti Ministry. Under the JSJB initiative, thousands of soak pits and rainwater harvesting structures have been constructed through shramadan in different government buildings, including Anganwadi centres, schools and PHCs, besides several other locations across the district, to conserve water and increase the ground water table, sources added.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
PM Modi Likely To Chair First Major Meet With Ministers, Top Bureaucrats After Op Sindoor
Last Updated: Top bureaucrats, including the cabinet secretary, department secretaries, and senior PMO officials, are also expected to be part of the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a high-level meeting with all Union ministers today, the first such gathering since the launch of Operation Sindoor. According to sources, the marathon session is expected to last 3–4 hours and will include Cabinet ministers, Ministers of State, and those holding independent charge. Top bureaucrats, including the cabinet secretary, department secretaries, and senior PMO officials, are also likely to be in attendance. Key presentations are likely on India's response to Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor and recent developments in foreign policy. The Jal Shakti Ministry is also expected to present updates on the Jal Jeevan Mission. The meeting is likely to conclude with a major address by Prime Minister Modi. On May 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired another key meeting in Delhi on to review and boost progress in India's tourism sector. The renewed focus on tourism came after the heinous terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which deterred travellers from going to Kashmir. The Indian government is pushing for boosting tourism in the Valley, weeks after the attack. Operation Sindoor was launched in the aftermath of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, where civilians were executed at close range — an act India has condemned as a new low in cross-border terrorism.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
DK Shivakumar seeks Centre's help as Maharashtra opposes dam height increase
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday appealed to Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from the state to stand united in safeguarding Karnataka's interests, after Maharashtra raised objections to the proposed increase in the height of the Alamatti reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar, who also holds the Irrigation portfolio, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had written a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 9, warning that raising the dam height could cause flooding in Maharashtra's Sangli and Kolhapur a post on X, Shivakumar wrote, 'We do not seek confrontation with our neighbouring state. But we must assert what is legally and justly ours.' advertisement'This letter came as a shock to us,' Shivakumar said. 'Maharashtra had not raised any objection when the Krishna Tribunal passed its judgement in 2010. In fact, they had even submitted an affidavit seeking an increase in the height of the Alamatti dam. Why this sudden change in stand?'The Krishna Tribunal's verdict allows Karnataka to increase the dam's height to 524 meters. Shivakumar insisted that the state has full rights to implement the project and said further delays would escalate costs, particularly land acquisition, which he pegged at Rs 1 lakh appealed to all Karnataka MPs and Union Ministers to unite in support of the project. 'I fold my hands and appeal to all our MPs, regardless of party lines, to protect the state's interest. Union Minister V Somanna is part of the Jal Shakti Ministry and I hope he will represent our concerns.'advertisementShivakumar also said the Karnataka government would soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister to press for a Gazette notification, pending since 2013, allowing the increase in dam height.'This is not a political issue. There is no scientific basis to Maharashtra's objections. Flooding in their region is for them to resolve. Karnataka has waited long enough,' Shivakumar said, adding that the state will share both Maharashtra's letter and its reply with all Karnataka Alamatti Dam, or the Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam, is a key hydroelectric and irrigation project on the Krishna River in Bagalkote district, North proposal to raise the dam height from 519 to 524.2 metres would create an additional storage capacity of 100 tmcft and expand irrigation coverage by 6 lakh hectares. But it faces key challenges, including submersion of a considerable portion of the Bagalkot town. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Maharashtra
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
How India Putting Indus Waters Treaty In Abeyance To Punish Pakistan Is A Well-Calibrated Step
Last Updated: The government has drawn up short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans to ensure that putting this treaty into abeyance will work for the welfare of India's population A day after the attack on innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam town on April 22, a series of decisions were made by the cabinet committee on security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to teach Pakistan a lesson. One of the more keenly watched ones among them is how the Indus Waters Treaty will be put into abeyance. Even in his rallies across multiple states after India's precise strikes on Pakistani terror bases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken elaborately that India will not back down. This move by India is certainly making the neighbouring nation sweat, he said in a public address on Tuesday. But the question remains, has India been able to achieve it overnight? The answer certainly is 'no". Even in a recent standing committee meeting for external affairs, India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, told MPs that this is a plan that has been in the works. Multiple departments, including the Jal Shakti Ministry and external affairs, have been working on a calibrated effort on this. 'Putting IWT in abeyance is a surgical strike in perpetuity, because it hits Pakistan where it hurts the most. The conversation around suspending the treaty has been ongoing in the government for the last three years," a top source in the government told CNN-News18. This was in the works because Pakistan never followed the norms of the treaty and always displayed an obstructionist approach. 'Pakistan has always obstructed India's attempts to work within the framework of the treaty for the benefit of its people," the source added. The treaty posed many limitations on India, as there was no provision for abrogation. But India's position is also strengthened by the prevalence of a provision that allows changes and reviews to the treaty when both sides agree. Due to current climate change, melting glaciers, the quantity of water in rivers, the growing population, and the need for clean energy, renegotiation was considered essential. Pakistan, being a lower riparian nation, depends heavily on the Indus waters. The treaty on hold gives India control over the waters of six rivers. It's psychological warfare on Pakistan, as India now holds the key to the release and holding of water. Further, the suspension of water commissioners on both sides and 'no sharing of data" also amplify the problem for Pakistan. 'Even for some basic construction work, we had to approach the commission, and we had to inform Pakistan six months in advance, but it was more than certain that the response would never be positive and would keep things in a permanent suspension mode. At least that will not matter anymore, because the commission will not be functional as the treaty is not functional right now," a government source told CNN-News18. This treaty, first implemented in 1960, was based on goodwill and friendship. However, by promoting terrorism, Pakistan has broken that goodwill and friendship, said officials. Over the years, Pakistan has misused India's generosity as its weakness. It is also clear that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between the two countries in September 1960, was tilted in Pakistan's favour. It was based on the premise that Pakistan would not engage in hostile activities. But this time, when Pakistan crossed every line of India's patience, India finally decided that Pakistan must be made to pay for its sins. Well aware of Pakistan's dirty tricks department, the Indian establishment has covered its ground on both political and legal fronts. While informing Pakistan of the treaty being put into abeyance, officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti listed very clearly why this decision has been announced, stating that Pakistan's terror policies do not go with India's neighbourhood policies. Apart from this, before Pakistan could even blink, India had taken the World Bank into confidence. The Indian establishment is in possession of communication from the World Bank that they are mere facilitators and have nothing to do with solving the matter between these two nations. Also, while Pakistan wants to make this a global matter and, perhaps, go to the International Court of Justice, India has well prepared itself to take the legal route. Several rounds of meetings have been happening in the government ever since the announcement by the ministry of external affairs. Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil at the very beginning made it very clear that not a single drop of water will go to Pakistan. Over a few meetings with union home minister Amit Shah, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and other experts in water resources, the government of India has drawn up a list of short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans to ensure that putting this treaty into abeyance will work for the welfare of India's population. Pakistan has gone out with a 'begging bowl", saying that it would not be right for India to wage a water war with its public. The Pakistani army has threatened India that if it stops the water, Pakistan will choke the people of India. At this moment, India is not in any mood to listen to any empty threats or even allow the interference of any other country on matters concerning Pakistan. The Indian establishment has made it very clear that Pakistan has to come clean on terror and on ceding PoK to have any bilateral conversation. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Indus Waters Treaty Pahalgam attack pakistan terror Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 28, 2025, 01:03 IST
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
JJM cost overruns: Nodal officer teams to check records, conduct on-spot excavations
THE CENTRE has asked the 100 teams of Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) deputed for ground inspection of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes to scrutinise records related to the design, planning and cost of works and to do 'on-spot excavation' on any sample stretch of pipeline and check whether the pipe material is as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), The Indian Express has learnt. The Jal Shakti Ministry organised a one-day training for the CNOs on Friday, during which the ministry officials are learnt to have shared a PowerPoint Presentation with the teams. The CNOs have also been asked to interact with various stakeholders, including District Magistrates/ District Collectors, during their field visits and seek feedback from the beneficiaries. It is learnt that the CNO teams will conduct five types of assessment of the JJM scheme during their field visits. These are design assessment, quality assessment, time and cost overruns assessment, functionality assessment and grievance and complaint redressal assessment. To confirm that the JJM works have been done as per the approved DPRs, the CNOs have been asked to do on-spot excavation on any sample stretch of pipeline, check for pipe material and dia as per the DPR and provide deviation details, if any. To identify reasons for cost overrun, the CNOs have been asked to compare the original sanctioned cost with revised estimate or completion cost. They have been asked to seek 'cost records and escalation notes' from the state government officials and mention specific components responsible for cost hike. The CNOs would also seek 'written justifications' and 'approval' from the authority for the cost escalations. Where the CNOs find an increase in the cost of the JJM schemes, they would examine the DPR and minutes of the meeting of the State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committees (SLSSC). The CNOs have been asked to seek a copy of the SLSSC meeting proceedings and approval letters. It is learnt that out of 100 officers deputed to inspect the JJM schemes, around 70 attended Friday's training programme; the remaining 30 officials have been asked to attend the training on Monday. Apart from the top officials of the Jal Shakti Ministry, the teams were also briefed by officials from Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO). The CVC is the apex government body that is responsible for promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in the country's public administration. The CPHEEO, an advisory body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), provides technical advice to state agencies and urban local bodies (ULBs) on implementing and maintaining urban water supply, sanitation and solid waste management projects. The officials who participated in the training on Friday have been asked to proceed on field visits from Monday. The ministry expects reports by June 10. On May 19, the government announced 100 teams of CNOs for 'ground inspection' of the JJM schemes across the country. The move followed a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary on May 8 to review the mission's schemes. An order was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, deputing 99 IAS officers to inspect as many as 183 schemes across 135 districts in 29 states and Union Territories. Of these schemes, learnt to have been selected randomly, Madhya Pradesh has the most — 29, Rajasthan and Odisha 21 each, Karnataka 19, Uttar Pradesh 18, Kerala 10 and Gujarat and Tamil Nadu eight each. The GOVERNMENT has taken note of the escalation in costs towards providing tap water connections across states ruled by different political parties. A 'ground inspection' of work orders in different places will give a picture not just of the costs involved in executing the job, but also the quality of work. The decision for a review came two months after an Expenditure Secretary-led panel proposed a 46% cut to the Water Resources Ministry's proposal demanding Rs 2.79 lakh crore for completing the mission over four years ending December 2028. The cut came following hard questions by the Ministry of Finance over cost escalation, and concerns in some government sections that work contracts were inflated in some states. According to sources, many of the 183 schemes shortlisted for inspection entail a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. The cumulative cost of these schemes is about Rs 1.50 lakh crore, which is about 20% of the total cost of all schemes approved under the JJM since its inception, said a source. Since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, 6.4 lakh water supply schemes with total estimated cost of Rs 8.29 lakh crore — more than double of the scheme's original outlay of Rs 3.60 lakh crore (Centre: Rs 2.08 lakh crore, states: Rs 1.52 lakh crore) — have been approved by the states. To meet the additional requirement of funds, the Jal Shakti Ministry had approached the Expenditure Finance Committee, headed by the Expenditure Secretary, to approve Rs 2.79 lakh crore additional Central funding over and above Rs 2.08 lakh crore. However, the EFC recommended only Rs 1.51 lakh crore as the Central share, which is 46% lower than Rs 2.79 lakh crore sought by the Jal Shakti Ministry, as reported by The Indian Express on April 21, 2023. 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
