Soon after The Mooknayak headlined the issue, the state government gave transfer orders

Report: Abdul Mahir

Sawai Madhopur— In the middle of the political flurry surrounding the East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), and after The Mooknayak published its report, the Rajasthan government has deputed 86 officers and staff to work with the ERCP Corporation to ensure the smooth running of the project. The officers and staff will work under the direction of the Chief Engineer, ERCP Corporation. Rajeshwari Meena, an Adivasi woman involved in the movement regarding ERCP, has appreciated this move of the government. Kailash Chand Meena, Assistant Secretary to the Government, Water Resources Department, issued the order and said that the Chief Engineer will be able to authorise transfers of all these personnel appointed on deputation to approved posts in the ERCP Corporation as per the project's requirements.

The staff assigned to ERCP

In the order issued by Kailash Chand Meena, Assistant Secretary to the Government, Water Resources Department, 1 additional chief engineer, 5 superintendent engineers, 12 executive engineers, 22 assistant engineers, and 32 junior engineers have been deployed to the ERCP Corporation. One additional administrative officer, 3 senior assistants, and 10 junior assistants have been similarly deployed from the ministry's cadre.

Government's action commended

Rajeshwari Meena, an ERCP activist, told The Mooknayak, we are making only one demand of the union and state governments, that the ERCP should become operational at the earliest. The Rajasthan government has taken steps towards the successful implementation of the scheme by deputing 86 officers and staff to the ERCP. The farmers of eastern Rajasthan support this step of the government. Rajeshwari said that the union and state governments need to set aside their one-upmanship and come together at the table to address the technical hurdles regarding the ERCP. We just need water, nothing else.

Awareness campaign reaching right down to villages

A public awareness campaign is also being rolled out under the banner of the ERCPSanyukta Morcha [ERCP United Front] to demand that the East Rajasthan Canal Project should be declared a national project linking all the dams, rivers, and canals built in the past in all the 13 districts included in the scheme. The ERCP Sanyukta Morcha organized a rally on Tuesday, July 26,  at Rahuwas village, Dausa district. Rajeshwari Meena also participated in it. While at the rally, Rajeshwari Meena said, "The ERCP will prove to be a lifeline for East Rajasthan. For this, we need to be prepared [to agitate] in all the ways possible. Women, men, and children from every household should also raise their voices. That is how we will gain access to drinking water."

Rajeshwari Meena declared that along with farmers, traders should also come forward for [implementation of] ERCP. Water will also become available for the industries of East Rajasthan under the ERCP scheme. It is not that farmers alone will benefit from this scheme. Adivasi Jawan Singh Mohcha, who is involved in the ERCP Sanyukta Morcha, also hinted towards a big movement to push for starting the project soon.

यहाँ हिन्दी में भी पढ़ें: खबर का असरः नहर परियोजना में लगाए 86 अधिकारी-कर्मचारी, तकनीकी खामी करेंगे दूर, जनता को मिलेगा पेयजल और सिंचाई के लिए पानी

[Story Translated By Lotika Singha]