New Delhi, March 9: During the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil confirmed that the central government has scaled up its investment in water security to 32,000 crore under the Vikas Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihoods Mission. The Minister stated that this funding, which replaces previous programs like MGNREGA and the Atal Bhu Jal Yojana, will prioritize regions facing severe groundwater emergencies.
The gravity of the situation in Punjab was detailed by MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, who declared that the state is moving toward a total collapse of its water resources. Sandhu asserted that the heavy cultivation of paddy has led to a depletion crisis where water levels are falling at an unsustainable rate.
“Uranium content has been found in more than 62 percent of the state’s groundwater, the highest in the country,” Sandhu stated. He maintained that this level of contamination poses a direct threat to public health, specifically regarding the rising incidence of cancer.
Minister Patil affirmed that the government is responding by mandating that a significant portion of rural development funds be spent on water-related works. He declared that semi-vulnerable blocks would receive 40 percent of allocated costs, while the most critical dark zones would be eligible for 65 percent of the project expenditure.
The Minister also noted that despite the groundwater challenges, the “Har Ghar Jal” scheme has achieved 100 percent completion in Punjab, ensuring that treated water reaches every household. He asserted that the focus now shifts to the long-term sustainability of the sources providing that water.
