*Under CM Nayab Singh Saini’s Leadership, Haryana Launches Mega Water Security Project*

*Entire Canal Network of Haryana to Be Lined Under World Bank–Backed Project*

Chandigarh, 24 January — Under the visionary leadership and guidance of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the World Bank has approved technical and financial assistance (loan) of ₹5,700 crore under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’, with the objective of making the state self-reliant in the water sector.

The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting of officials in Chandigarh regarding the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana programme.

The Chief Minister said that this amount will be disbursed in a phased manner over a period of six years, from 2026 to 2032. The funds will be utilised for large-scale works in the canal sector. He said that out of a total of 1,570 canals in the state, 892 canals have been restored over the past 20 years, and the restoration of the remaining 678 canals is proposed to be completed in the next five years. This includes restoration of 115 canals at a cost of ₹2,325 crore with World Bank financial assistance, 284 canals at a cost of ₹2,230 crore from the state budget, and 279 canals at a cost of ₹2,880 crore through NABARD.

The Chief Minister said that out of a total of 15,562 canal minors under MICADA, 4,487 minors have been restored over the past 20 years, and the remaining 1,961 minors are proposed to be restored over the next five years. This includes 400 canal minors at a cost of ₹450 crore with World Bank assistance, 1,500 minors at a cost of ₹1,250 crore from the state budget, and 61 minors at a cost of ₹402 crore through NABARD. In addition, with World Bank support of ₹900 crore, micro-irrigation systems will be implemented over approximately 70,000 acres of agricultural land.

The Chief Minister said that the Agriculture Department will develop tube-well-based drainage and surface drainage systems to resolve the problem of waterlogging in the remaining waterlogged areas of the state, covering approximately 2,00,000 acres of land. Further, sustainable and water-conservation-based agriculture will be promoted through crop diversification, direct seeding of rice, and other measures. For this, the World Bank will provide financial assistance (loan) of approximately ₹886 crore.

The Chief Minister said that to strengthen groundwater recharge, about 80 water bodies will be constructed in various districts of southern Haryana. In addition, treated water from four major sewage treatment plants located in Jind, Kaithal, and Gurugram will be reused to ensure irrigation for approximately 28,000 acres of agricultural land, for which the World Bank has provided financial assistance of about ₹600 crore.

The Chief Minister said that the World Bank appreciated the government’s visionary leadership and guidance for this achievement and described the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ programme as a “paradigm shift” in the state’s water management approach. On completion of this project, all canals in Haryana will be restored, making them the most modern and well-restored canals in the country.

The ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ programme will not only prove to be a milestone in making the state water self-reliant, but will also strongly reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and sustainable water future for coming generations.

The Chief Minister said that on completion of this project, the entire canal network of the state will be fully lined and will function effectively for the next 25 years. After this, no funds will be required for canal restoration for many years. Additionally, irrigation facilities will become available on 2 lakh acres of additional land, and farmers will also get relief from the problem of waterlogging. He said that since irrigation currently uses mostly fresh water, this project will help save that water, making it available for drinking purposes.

The Chief Minister appealed to farmers to adopt micro-irrigation systems as much as possible in paddy cultivation. This will result in higher yields and will also help farmers overcome several other problems caused by open-field water usage. He directed officials to motivate farmers on a large scale to adopt micro-irrigation systems for paddy and to organise extensive awareness camps for this purpose.

The Chief Minister said that tenders will soon be allotted to provide drinking water through pipelines for the industrial zone in Kharkhoda. He also directed that, under the Jal Sanrakshit Project, proposals for channel links be prepared to ensure future water availability, especially to supply drinking water to industrial zones.

During the meeting, Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department Dr. Satbir Kadyan made a detailed power presentation.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary to CM Dr. Saket Kumar and several other senior officers of Irrigation department.

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Youth will play a significant role in achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047: Rao Inderjit Singh

Union Minister distributes appointment letters to 218 newly appointed youth at Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Mela in Gurugram

Rao calls upon newly selected youth to stay connected to their roots and discharge duties with dedication

Chandigarh, January 24 – Union Minister of State for Statistics, Programme Implementation and Planning, Rao Inderjit Singh, said that the youth selected through the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Mela will play a significant role in achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said that these appointments are not merely employment opportunities, but responsibilities towards nation-building, which the youth must fulfil with dedication, honesty, and a spirit of service.

Rao Inderjit Singh was addressing the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Mela programme held in Gurugram on Saturday. During the programme, he distributed appointment letters to 218 newly recruited youth. The live address of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi was also broadcast during the programme. MLA, Sohna, Sh. Tejpal Tanwar was also present on the occasion.

While addressing the programme, the Union Minister said that more than 8,000 women candidates were given appointment letters during the Rozgar Mela programmes held across the country, marking an important step towards women empowerment. He said that the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Mela, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister, Sh.Narendra Modi, is a historic initiative aimed at providing transparent, timely, and fair employment opportunities to the youth. The true meaning of government service lies in working with discipline, transparency, integrity, and a spirit of public service, he added.

Rao Inderjit Singh urged the newly appointed youth to remain connected to their roots and perform their duties with complete sincerity, so that the dignity of society and the nation can be taken to greater heights. He expressed confidence that the youth appointed today will play a crucial role in achieving the goal of a developed India and will help the country move forward once again on the path of becoming a global leader.

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Maharishi Valmiki’s works will remain eternal: Shruti Choudhry

Women and Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhry attends a programme of Maharishi Valmiki in Bhiwani

Chandigarh, January 24 – Haryana Women and Child Development Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, said that saints and sages are the true identity of our country, as they have, from time to time, given the message of eliminating social evils. Among them, Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiki holds a prominent place, as he composed the Ramayana, a timeless epic that will always remain eternal. She said that we should imbibe his teachings in our lives.

The Minister was addressing the Programme of Maharishi Valmiki as the Chief Guest on Saturday in Bhiwani. The programme was organised by the Lav-Kush Sena Committee. On the occasion, she paid floral tributes to the statue of Maharishi Valmiki.

She said that the land of India is blessed, as it has given the world the invaluable works of Maharishi Valmiki, which continue to guide humanity even today. The words and teachings of saints and sages leave a lasting impact and remain relevant for all times.

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Village panchayats should ensure clean and hygienic villages: Irrigation Minister Shruti Choudhry

Tractor-Trolleys and water tankers distributed to 42 villages in Bhiwani from Mining Fund

Distribution Programme held at Panchayat Bhawan

Chandigarh, January 24 – A programme for the distribution of tractor-trolleys and water tankers to various villages of the district was organised at the Panchayat Bhawan in Bhiwani using funds from the Mining Fund. Haryana Minister for Women and Child Development, Irrigation and Water Resources, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, attended the programme as the Chief Guest. The programme was presided over by Bhiwani–Mahendragarh Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, Chaudhary Dharambir Singh.

Addressing the gathering, Irrigation Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry and MP, Chaudhary Dharambir Singh said that it is the responsibility of Gram Panchayat representatives to make their villages clean and hygienic. They said that both the Central and State Governments are providing all possible financial assistance for development works in villages. The overall development of a village depends largely on the active role and commitment of Panchayat representatives. During the programme, tractor-trolleys and water tankers worth approximately Rs. 2.84 crore were distributed to 42 villages of the district.

The Irrigation Minister said that the State Government is fully committed to the proper and holistic development of villages. Along with the government, Panchayat representatives also have a very important role to play in rural development. Referring to employment schemes, she said that earlier MGNREGA was merely a formality, but now under the VB G Ram G Scheme, needy workers will get more employment opportunities, which will bring prosperity to their families, she added.

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