Dainik Nation News Portal
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has expressed displeasure over the delay in receiving action plans from districts regarding the rejuvenation of water sources and rivers in the state. Later she has given a deadline to District Magistrates to submit their plan.
In a meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Chief Secretary Raturi directed DMs to appoint a full-time dedicated Nodal Officer in each district for this purpose. Additionally, she instructed them to convene a meeting of the District Level Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) within three days. Moreover, Chief Development Officers were instructed to play a prominent role in this campaign.
Furthermore, Chief Secretary Raturi directed the Additional Chief Secretary Finance to coordinate a meeting regarding funding utilization for water rejuvenation through various schemes like MNREGA, NABARD, CAMPA, and PMKSY.
Highlighting the importance of a holistic and integrated plan for water rejuvenation, Chief Secretary Raturi emphasized the need for concerted efforts across the state.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary instructed District Magistrates to identify ten critical drying springs in each block and twenty critical drying water streams/tributaries in their respective districts under the Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024. She also urged the formulation of plans for the rejuvenation of one river in each district as part of the long-term strategy.
Under the Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024, initiatives include constructing contour trenches, recharge pits, raw ponds, check dams, and recharge pits to recharge groundwater and treat critical water sources at the village and block levels.
Additionally, Chief Secretary Raturi emphasized the treatment of tributary rivers and streams at the district level, urging the identification and planning of their rejuvenation on a priority basis.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Shri Anand Vardhan, Principal Secretary Shri RK Sudhanshu, Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagauli, officers from relevant departments, and all District Magistrates via a virtual medium.
