43,205 water bodies have been desilted under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: Minister SP Velumani

Coimbatore: Inaugurating a rainwater harvesting and water management seminar in developing cities at CBM College here on Saturday, the Municipal Administration, Rural Development and Implementation of Special Programme, Minister SP Velumani said that 43,205 water bodies have been desilted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the past three years.

Coimbatore: Inaugurating a rainwater harvesting and water management seminar in developing cities at CBM College here on Saturday, the Municipal Administration, Rural Development and Implementation of Special Programme, Minister SP Velumani said that 43,205 water bodies have been desilted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the past three years. 

A state-wide seminar on rainwater harvesting and water management in developing cities was held at CBM College, Kovaipudur in association with the Coimbatore Corporation.

While addressing the gathering Minister S.P. Velumani extolled that Tamil Nadu is way ahead among other States in implementing rainwater harvesting projects. As a result of which the, groundwater levels have risen in both the corporation and municipal areas in the State. 

In 2015, Former CM Jayalalithaa announced a series of schemes to improve ground water, water conservation project, rejuvenation of existing water bodies and temple ponds in Tamil Nadu. Such developmental projects are being implemented under the German Development Bank Fund, Smart City and Amrut projects to improve water resources in municipalities and corporations, the Minister said. 

The Minister claimed that it was during late former CM Jayalalithaa's government that the traditional “Kudimaramathu” scheme was revamped and focus was laid on improving water resources. He added saying that "Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy has similar views in implementing Kudimaramathu program very effectively which is widely welcomed by the agricultural community."

He further added, in the budget for the year 2019-20, the State government has allocated Rs 300 crore for the "Kudimaramathu" project for the reconstruction of the lakes under the Public Works Department with the participation of the people. Over the past three years, 43,205 water bodies have been desilted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

He stated that in urban areas, several projects like rainwater harvesting structures in government offices, collecting rainwater in the parks and utilizing the same to water the plants and renovating the temple ponds.

He said, "Amma's Government has undertaken drinking water projects in the last 8 years in 15 corporations, 121 municipalities, 528 Town Panchayats and 12,525 Panchayats, on behalf of municipal administration and rural development in a budget of Rs. 37,826 crores."

Under the Amrut scheme, funded by the Central and State governments, 18 major drinking water projects in the corporations and municipalities are being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 6,406 crore, the Minister said.

During the event, J. Sravan Kumar, Corporation Commissioner and Special Officer, Deputy Corporation Commissioner C. Prasanna Ramasamy and Associate Director of College Education Dr. Pon. Muthuramalingam were present.

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