Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 29, 2020, inaugurated 6 mega development projects in Uttarakhand under Namami Gange Mission through video conference. Modi also inaugurated the Ganga Avalokan Museum, the first of its kind on the River Ganga at Haridwar. He released a book “Rowing Down the Ganges” and the new logo for the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Prime Minister also unveiled the ‘Margadarshika for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis under Jal Jeevan Mission’ (Guidelines for the Village Panchayats and Water Committees) on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the Jal Jeevan Mission aims at providing every rural household in the country with piped-water connection. He said that the new logo of the Mission shall continue to inspire the need to save every drop of water. Referring to the Margadarshika, he said that they are equally important for the Gram Panchayats, people living in rural areas as well as for the Government machinery.
Describing the book “Rowing Down the Ganges”, the PM said it explains in details how the River Ganges stands as a glowing symbol of our Culture, Faith and Heritage. He termed the Namami Gange Mission as the largest integrated river conservation mission which not only aims at the cleanliness of River Ganga but also focuses on its comprehensive upkeep. Had the old methods been adopted, the situation would have been equally bad today, he said and added the old methods lacked public participation and foresight.
The Prime Minister said the government moved forward with a four pronged strategy to achieve its objective. First- started laying a network of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to prevent the waste water from flowing into the Ganges. Second, the STPs were built by keeping in mind the demands for the next 10 – 15 years. Third – By making around hundred big towns/cities and five thousand villages along the River Ganga Open Defecation Free (ODF). And Fourth – By making an all-out effort to stop the pollution in the tributaries of River Ganga, according to a PIB release.
Modi highlighted the fact that under Namami Gange, projects worth more than Rs 30,000 crore are either in progress or have been completed. He pointed out that due to these projects the sewage treatment capacity of Uttarakhand has increased 4 times in the last 6 years. He listed the efforts taken to close more than 130 drains in Uttarakhand from flowing into river Ganga. He referred specially to the Chandreshwar Nagar drain which turned as an eyesore to visitors and rafters at Muni Ki Reti, in Rishikesh. He applauded the closing of the drain and the construction of a four storied STP at Muni Ki Reti.
The Prime Minister said that the Ganga Avalokan Museum would be a special attraction to pilgrims and it would further enhance the understanding of the heritage associated with Ganga. He said the Government has made comprehensive plans to promote Organic farming and Ayurvedic farming.He said that the project would also strengthen the Mission Dolphin which was announced on August 15 this year.
He lauded the Government of Uttarakhand for providing drinking water connections to more than 50 thousand families even during the period of Corona in the last 4-5 months. He said the mission has also ensured that at least 50% of the members of the water committee would be women. The PM said a special 100-day campaign is being launched on October 2 this year under Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure drinking water connection to every school and Anganwadi in the country.
The PM said the Government has brought in major reforms recently for the farmers, the industrial labour and in the health sector. He said that those oopposing these reforms are opposing only for the sake of opposing them. He said those who ruled the country for decades have never cared about empowering the workers, youth, farmers, and women of the country. The PM said that these people want the farmers not to sell their produce at a profitable price to anyone and anywhere in the country.
He said it is the same people who opposed modernisation of the Air Force and provision of modern fighter planes to it. The very same people also opposed the One Rank One Pension policy of the Government, whereas the Government already paid dues of over Rs 11,000 Crores in the form of arrears to the pensioners of the armed forces. He said these are the very same people who criticised the surgical strike and asked the soldiers to prove that there was a surgical strike