Centre Wants States to Compete in Water Conservation Race

Giving the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan twist to water conservation, the central government now wants states to compete to tackle one of India’s biggest challenges.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government is proposing for a competition to be held among states in order to promote the idea of water conservation in the country.

“There will be a healthy competition among the states. The states that will perform well in terms of water conservation will get more funds,” the minister said. He further added the centre will grant more funds to the states performing better in the competition. The move comes after the plan was decided during the BJP’s parliamentary party meeting held this week.

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Promoting the competition at block-level, the government will initiate efforts ensuring “every drop of water is utilised” said the minister. In a presentation, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat proposed the idea to party lawmakers for conservation of water in their respective constituencies.

For the newly formed Jal Shakti Ministry, the competition can work wonders as states seeking more funds could compete and in the process, innovate to conserve water.

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The competition will force states to improve rankings, much like the swachh report cards for cities and states, and encourage authorities to think beyond in order to succeed and announce water conservation competitions at local, district and regional levels.

This will also encourage social and environmental groups to actively send proposals and share information while the states will become proactive.

While the move is in the right direction, it remains to be seen as to how many states will respond, and compete.