Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, on Thursday (September 25, 2025) launched the National Initiative on Water Security at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi.

The new policy places water conservation at the core of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) , making it mandatory to allocate funds for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. The move comes amid growing concerns over falling groundwater levels, which Chouhan described as “one of the biggest global challenges.”

Chouhan said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, water security has been made a national priority in rural development. Amendments to the MGNREGA schedule now ensure that a fixed share of funds wi

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