MoU signed between Ahuse (Denmark) & Rajasthan Government | 22 May 2023

Why in News?

On 19 May 2023, in the presence of Rajasthan's Public Health Engineering Minister Dr. Mahesh Joshi, an MoU was signed between Ahuse, Denmark and the Government of Rajasthan for urban water management in the conference hall of the Secretariat.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed by Dr. Subodh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, PHED & Water Resources on behalf of the state government while Director Planning Louise Pepe digitally signed on behalf of Ahuse (Denmark).
• Public Health Engineering Minister Dr. Mahesh Joshi said that mutual cooperation between Denmark and Rajasthan in various fields was initiated in March 2021. Taking forward the link of mutual cooperation between Rajasthan and Denmark, this MoU has been signed.
• Rajasthan and Denmark will work together in various fields like improvement of services & quality in the urban drinking water sector, reduction in non-revenue water (waste) by increasing the efficiency of the distribution system, Integrated Management of Water Resources & Ground Water Aquifer Mapping, Planning & recycling of wastewater management and green solutions for rejuvenation of rivers.
• Emphasizing the efficient use of water & water conservation, the Water Supply Minister said that there is zero wastage of water in Denmark and there is full use of water there. Rajasthan will be benefited from mutual cooperation in their techniques of saving water in different ways, drinking water, wastewater management and recycling, rejuvenation of rivers etc.
• Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Subodh Aggarwal said that this MoU has been signed after completing approvals and procedures at various levels, including the Ministry of Jal Shakti of the Central Government. With this, smart water technology in drinking water management, reduction in non-revenue water (waste), treatment of wastewater and along with recycling, Denmark's technical assistance will be provided for the retrieval of rivers.
• After this MoU, cooperation between Ahus and Rajasthan will be increased in the field of efficient water management in big districts like Jodhpur, Kota and Jaipur.
• Danish Ambassador Freddy Swan said that there is a strategic partnership between Denmark and India. He said that positive efforts will be made for long-term mutual cooperation with Rajasthan.