Jaipur, December 5 (NationPress) Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Gang Canal in Sri Ganganagar on Friday, expressed that the milestone of 100 years of the iconic Gang Canal is a moment of pride for Rajasthan. He emphasized that the government’s policies centered on farmers and a focus on development are paving the way for a flourishing future.

Reflecting on the legacy of Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji, who inaugurated the Gang Canal on December 5, 1925, with the vision of transforming the arid landscape into green pastures, the Chief Minister highlighted how this foresight turned desolate regions into one of India’s pivotal agricultural areas.

To uphold this legacy, the state government has unveiled projects totaling Rs 1,717 crore aimed at revitalizing and modernizing the Gang Canal system.

This initiative allocates Rs 647 crore for the reconstruction of the Firozpur Feeder, ensuring a consistent and reliable water supply, Rs 300 crore for rejuvenating the Bikaner Canal to benefit countless farmers, and Rs 695 crore for automating irrigation across 3.14 lakh hectares within the Gang Canal system. This automation will facilitate scientific water distribution and enable real-time monitoring.

Furthermore, Rs 75 crore will be dedicated to repairing damaged canals and channels. The Chief Minister remarked that bolstering the canal network demonstrates the state’s commitment to long-term irrigation security, agricultural development, youth empowerment, and sustainable growth. He asserted that farmers’ welfare remains central to government strategy, prioritizing irrigation, power supply, crop insurance, cost efficiency, and the adoption of modern technologies.

He noted that approximately Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated in the last two years for expanding and strengthening the canal system. Currently, work worth Rs 1,400 crore is in progress, tenders for projects worth Rs 3,265 crore have been issued, and an additional Rs 3,400 crore has been set aside for renovating IGNP canals and constructing lined channels.

The Ram Jal Setu Link Project is underway, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Yamuna water agreement is in progress. A Chief Minister’s Irrigation Task Force has also been established to ensure timely execution of irrigation initiatives.

The Chief Minister announced that the Kisan Samman Nidhi amount has been increased to Rs 9,000 and will be gradually raised to Rs 12,000. Over Rs 10,000 crore has been directly transferred to more than 76 lakh farmers.

The government has issued over Rs 44,000 crore in interest-free short-term crop loans, procured 33 lakh metric tonnes of wheat at Minimum Support Price (MSP), and provided a bonus exceeding Rs 450 crore—Rs 125 per quintal last year and Rs 150 this year.

He underscored the achievements under the PM-KUSUM Yojana, reporting that Rajasthan ranks first in KUSUM-A and third in KUSUM-C, with farmers in 22 districts now enjoying daytime electricity for agricultural activities. Farmers in Sri Ganganagar will soon benefit from this initiative. Additionally, he announced a Rs 15 per quintal rise in the sugarcane support price.

CM Sharma provided updates on regional development projects, including Rs 185 crore for repairs under the Kanwarsain Lift Canal and Rs 60 crore for supplementary infrastructure. He stated that the “double-engine government” at both the state and central levels is ensuring enduring agricultural security and economic empowerment for farmers.