Sachin Malik: Central Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat adopted a tough stance over water and electricity issues amid the desert dunes of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. During a night Chaupal held at Gram Panchayat Phalsund, Shekhawat not only raised his voice against corruption but also announced a major financial Package for Rajasthan.
Shekhawat Stated that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Rajasthan, which had remained Stalled for some time due to investigations and Shortage of funds, has now been revived. “Just yesterday, I got ₹4,800 crore approved and transferred to Rajasthan account. Payments to contractors had been halted for a long time because of the ongoing investigations and work had come to a Standstill. Now there will be no Shortage of funds,” he Said. He further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended the mission till 2028 and allocated an additional budget of ₹1 lakh crore for the Scheme across the Country.
During the late-night Chaupal on Saturday, Shekhawat Strongly criticized the district administration and the Previous State government over alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Prevailing electricity crisis. Reiterating a “Zero tolerance” Policy towards corruption, he issued a Stern warning. He remarked that those involved in corruption in water-related funds would meet the same fate as former minister Mahesh Joshi. Addressing the gathering, he said, “I am saying this Publicly before thousands of People—no matter how influential someone may be or Whose recommendation they carry, anyone who has Stolen the Public rightful Share of water will be Punished. I will spare no One.”
Ultimatum to the Collector: Water Must Reach the Poor First.
During the Chaupal, Shekhawat Clearly instructed the District Collector that water distribution Should Prioritize Poor families rather than influential People. He emphasized that if the system failed to improve, he would consider it not merely a departmental failure but a failure of the district administration led by the Collector. He directed officials to establish a “foolproof mechanism” for Implementation.
Questions Raised Over Electricity Supply.
On the issue of electricity, Shekhawat accused the Previous government and officials of misleading the Government of India. He alleged that officials submitted a “false” affidavit Claiming that Rajasthan had achieved 100% electrification, whereas thousands of homes in Jaisalmer and Barmer Still remain without electricity. He assured villagers that under the Prime Minister new Scheme, Electricity would reach every left-out household within 1,000 Days.
Heard Villagers Problems Till Midnight.
Under floodlights late into the night, Shekhawat announced that he would Personally Stay back to collect applications from villagers one by one and ensure resolution of their grievances. He also instructed the administration to conduct a survey of “left-over” hamlets and connect them under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Earlier, Union Minister Shekhawat and Mahant Pratap Puri arrived among Villagers in an open jeep for the night Chaupal, where they were Welcomed with flower Showers arranged through JCB Machines.
