Narmada declared Live Entity in Madhya Pradesh

Mandla. Implementing Central Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh’s suggestion with immediate effect, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has declared Narmada river a “Live Entity” . Shri Chouhan said that with the Narmada river now to be considered a live entity, anyone damaging it will be liable to punishment as is done in the case on a live entity. A bill in this connection will be passed in the Vidhan Sabha. Central Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today gave this suggestion to Chief Minister Shri Chouhan during a Jan Samvad programme of the Narmada Seva Yatra at Mandla. Union Minister of State for Health Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small and Medium Industry Shri Sanjay Pathak, Mahamandleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, Sant Shri Atul Krishna Bharadwaj, Sadhvi Pragya Bharti and Sadhvi Yogmaya was also present.

Home Ministe Shri Rajnath Singh said that any amount of praise of Chief Minister for the Narmada Seva Yatra is not enough. He said that this will turn to be a milestone among the campaigns run in the country-world. Such a public campaign has never been run in the country earlier. The campaign has taken Narmada conservation-promotion along with social concerns. Constitution makers have also termed environment conservation a must for every person.

Shri Singh said that the Prime Minister has made arrangement of Rs 20,000 crores in the budget to clean the rivers of the country by 2019-20. If needed this amount will be hiked to Rs one lakh crore. He suggested considering the Narmada a live entity on the basis of the Supreme Court. Shri Singh said that the world has set its eyes on the Narmada Yatra which gives a positive message.

Shri Singh did not allow to be welcomed

Shri Rajnath Singh refused to be accorded a welcome at the programme owing to the incident in which jawans died in Naxalite attack today.

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan warned that if the flow of Narmada dries up, life in Madhya Pradesh will come to a standstill. Shri Singh said that the Narmada Yatra was started to rejuvenate the Narmada. He said that the Narmada Satpuda-Vindhyachal jungle monsoons were responsible for incessant flow in the Narmada and to keep it flowing eternally saplings would be planted on both sides of the river Narmada on July 2 up to 1100 km and one km width area. Moreover, to check flow of sewage water into the Narmada sewage treatment plants will be constructed in 18 cities the water of which will help in irrigation. Toilets will be constructed in every house besides visarjan kund, muktidham, changing room etc. Now no dead body will be immersed in the Narmada. In the deaddiction drive, all liquor shops upto five km from the Narmada have been closed down from April one.

Achar, seed collection rate now Rs 100 per kg

Shri Chouhan said that the government will from now on purchase Mahua flower, Gulli @Rs 30 and Achar seed @Rs 100 per kg. Shri Singh said that it is through the Narmada river that drinking water is supplied to big cities in the state and 30 per cent irrigation water is supplied. Shri Chouhan said that in Madhya Pradesh, the government is concerned about a girl right from her birth to her marriage. Women have 33 per cent reservation in police jobs and 50 per cent reservation in teaching jobs.

At the outset, Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Shri Chouhan offered flowers and garland to the statue of Maa Narmada and honoured kanyas, seers and different religious leaders of various communities. Lastly, Mandla minister in charge Shri Sanjay Pathak proposed the vote of thanks.

After the programme Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh took the Narmada dhwaj and the Chief Minister’s wife Sadhna Singh took the Narmada Kalash and proceeded towards the Mandla Raptaghat for the Mahaarti.