Rajasthan

• 14 Mar 2023

Rajasthan Millets Conclave-2023

Why In News?

• On 13 March 2023 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the Rajasthan Millets Conclave-2023 at the State Institute of Agricultural Management at Durgapura in Jaipur city of the state.

Key points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the state government has played an important role in the welfare of farmers and development of agriculture sector. A historic initiative was taken across the country by presenting a separate agricultural budget twice in the Assembly.
• He said that strong infrastructure is available in the state to increase the production capacity of millets and agricultural research. About 42 agricultural colleges have been established, which are providing opportunities to the younger generation to take higher education in the agriculture sector and shape their future. Recently, veterinary university has also been announced.
• The Chief Minister said that agricultural research will benefit the farmers in preparing their crops for the future. The conclave will showcase important suggestions for better production, management and marketing of millets.
• On this occasion, he informed that a provision has been made in the budget to provide 2000 units of free electricity per month to the farmers. This will benefit approx.12 lakh farmers.
• At the Rajasthan Millets Conclave-2023, the Chief Minister launched the Rajkishan Suvidha App. In this, the application of the schemes and their status can be known. Apart from this, he also released a booklet related to success stories of Rajasthan Agro Processing, Agribusiness and Agricultural Export Promotion Policy-2019. A short film titled 'Samriddha Kisan-Khushal Rajasthan' was also screened.
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot congratulated Bhupendra Singh from Hanumangarh, Patasi Devi from Nagaur, Dinesh Kumar Chaudhary, Ghasiram Jat from Jaipur, Vishnu from Bhilwara, Kuresh Bagidora from Banswara, Hanumanram from Sikar, Suraj Bhan from Alwar and Jitendra Singh Sankhla from Jodhpur. He was awarded the State Level Farmer Award.

Rs. 14200 crores Approved for Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP)

Why In News?

• On March 11, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved a financial proposal of Rs 14200 crore for the construction of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).

Key points

• Rs.14200 crore various works including Navnera-Galwa-Bisalpur-Isarda With the financial sanction of Link Project, construction of under-construction Navnera Barrage and Isarda Dam, Ramgarh and Mahalpur Barrage, Installation of Pumping and Power Stations in Navnera Barrage, Mej anikat and Galwa Dam and storage of flood water will be completed.
• In addition, the height of Bisalpur dam has been increased by 0.5 meters and increased to 202.42 km. Work can also be done to develop a long water transport system.
• Under the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), water management works can be done keeping in view the additional drinking water requirements of Jaipur, Ajmer and Tonk districts and the additional demand of 16.82 TMC drinking water for the remaining rural areas of Jaipur district by the year 2040.
• It is notable that ERCP is an ambitious project to solve the problem of irrigation and drinking water in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan. Under this, the excess water available in the rivers of the state, which flows wastefully into the sea every year through Yamuna River, will be used in the state after stopping it through dams.
• It is known that Ashok Gehlot had made the budget 2023-24 a provision of Rs 13 thousand crore for various works under this project. This approval has been given in compliance with this budget announcement.