Ashok Gehlot (File photo)

Jaipur:

In Rajasthan, the Congress has taken an aggressive stand on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has once again demanded that this project be declared a national project. On Wednesday, he said people should put pressure on the Central government to give the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) the status of a national project. He also said that with its formation, there will be all-round development of eastern Rajasthan.

Congress to launch yatra in 25 districts from September 13

The two parties have been constantly face-to-face over the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project. Now the Congress is going to start the yatra in 25 districts from September 13. This yatra has been named Jan Ashirwad Yatra. The yatra will cover all the 13 districts that come under the project.

Rajasthan is the largest state in the country. It is spread over 10% of the country's area, but the groundwater here is only 1.72%. The canal project will benefit more than 40% of the population of Rajasthan. The Rs 40,000-crore project was announced by the then chief minister Vasundhara Raje in 2018.

Jhalawar farmers will get direct benefit

With the completion of the canal project, farmers of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Baran and Jhalawar will get direct benefit. This will irrigate 2 lakh hectares of land.

BJP has cheated people: Swarnim Chaturvedi

Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi said the yatra was against the BJP's promises. The BJP has cheated the people. By not declaring it a national project even after so much time has passed, it is clear that the BJP does not want the interest of the people of Rajasthan.

ERCP to be declared a national project

The BJP has rejected this charge of the Congress. Bjp leaders say that the government is serious about this project and it will be completed soon. He, however, did not specify by when the project would be declared a national project.

This project will also strengthen the economy of Rajasthan. However, politics continues in both parties over this project. The Congress is trying to get the project in its favour, while the BJP is claiming to be serious about the project.

The project has a direct impact on 86 assembly seats.

The project has a direct impact on 86 assembly seats. At present, most of these seats are held by the Congress. The Congress wants to further strengthen its strong position in these seats. That is why the government had announced funds for this project in the budget as well. Congress leaders have been constantly attacking on this issue.

More than 40% of the population benefits from ERCP

Rajasthan is the largest state in the country. It is spread over 10% of the country's area, but the groundwater here is only 1.72%. The canal project will benefit more than 40% of the population of Rajasthan. The Rs 40,000-crore project was announced by the then chief minister Vasundhara Raje in 2018. There has been a demand for declaring it a national project for some time. If this happens, 90% of the amount will have to be spent by the Center and 10% by the state.

With the completion of the canal project, farmers of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Baran and Jhalawar will get direct benefit. This will irrigate 2 lakh hectares of land.

Politics continues in Congress and BJP

The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project is an important project for Rajasthan. With the completion of this project, the problem of irrigation and drinking water in many districts of Rajasthan will be solved. This project will also strengthen the economy of Rajasthan. However, politics continues in both parties over this project. The Congress is trying to get the project in its favour, while the BJP is claiming to be serious about the project.

Also read: Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi to address public meeting in Jaipur on Saturday

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Ashok Gehlot East Rajasthan Canal Project Assembly Elections 2023