<p>The nearly six-month-old Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government is set to launch JalYukta Shivar Abhiyan 2.0 - a major move to make the villages drought-free. </p>.<p>JalYukta Shivar Abhiyan or JSA is the flagship project of Fadnavis, which he launched as Chief Minister between 2014-19. </p>.<p>Under the scheme, 25,000 drought-prone villages and hamlets were selected to be made drought-free by launching various water conservation projects such as building canals, bunds and ponds, and deepening and widening of existing facilities. </p>.<p>However, when the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power, the project ran into trouble and was mired with allegations and they did not pursue it.</p>.<p>The Comptroller and Auditor General report also made scathing observations about irregularities - after which a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was instituted.</p>.<p>On 30 June, when Shinde and Fadnavis took over as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively, revival of the project was cleared in the first Cabinet meeting.</p>.<p>It may be mentioned, through JSA, 6.41 lakh works were completed in 22,586 villages between 2014 and 2019 and the total expenditure incurred was Rs 9633.75 crore.</p>.<p>“We have decided to launch Jalyuktshiwar Abhiyan 2.0. Villages in the state will be water-rich again,” Shinde said.</p>
<p>The nearly six-month-old Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government is set to launch JalYukta Shivar Abhiyan 2.0 - a major move to make the villages drought-free. </p>.<p>JalYukta Shivar Abhiyan or JSA is the flagship project of Fadnavis, which he launched as Chief Minister between 2014-19. </p>.<p>Under the scheme, 25,000 drought-prone villages and hamlets were selected to be made drought-free by launching various water conservation projects such as building canals, bunds and ponds, and deepening and widening of existing facilities. </p>.<p>However, when the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power, the project ran into trouble and was mired with allegations and they did not pursue it.</p>.<p>The Comptroller and Auditor General report also made scathing observations about irregularities - after which a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was instituted.</p>.<p>On 30 June, when Shinde and Fadnavis took over as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively, revival of the project was cleared in the first Cabinet meeting.</p>.<p>It may be mentioned, through JSA, 6.41 lakh works were completed in 22,586 villages between 2014 and 2019 and the total expenditure incurred was Rs 9633.75 crore.</p>.<p>“We have decided to launch Jalyuktshiwar Abhiyan 2.0. Villages in the state will be water-rich again,” Shinde said.</p>
