Jal Sanchay Yojana: Only 2% of target achieved in first half, CM Vijay Rupani furious

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani came down heavily on babus during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Rupani bashed IAS officials for their poor performance in Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Yojana, when he found out that only 2% of the work has been completed so far.

The first half of the state government's ambitious water conservation drive completed on Tuesday. The CM pulled up officials after he saw figures on target achievement. Rupani had announced that his government was targeting to increase the state's water storage capacity by 11,000 lakh cubic feet by deepening, dredging and desilting water resources during the month-long drive.

This means 3115.20 crore liter more water could be stored in water resources including lakes, ponds, check dams, bori bandh, small rivers and reservoirs. However, the CM, on Wednesday, found out during the meeting that work for only 258 lakh cubic feet was completed in the first half of the drive.

Sources in government said: "The chief minister was angry at the officials who could not perform well in the drive. There are many districts where 28% to 30% work have not been launched yet. There are eight districts where up to 80% work is awaiting inauguration. The chief minister has sought reports from all the districts which are running Jal Sanchay drive at snail pace. He has also instructed in-charge ministers and secretaries of districts concerned to monitor the progress of work."

The senior official said the CM has asked for daily reports. "The chief minister also asked the officials to take the help of local BJP organisations, whenever required, to complete the work," added the official.

Sources further said that 80% work in Gandhinagar has not started, followed by Amreli with zero progress in 65% work, Kutch with 60% pending, Jamnagar with 55% and Sabarkantha with 52% work pending. Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts have 30% work pending.