An eight-member team of the World Bank assessed the progress of the Water Sector Reform Project and Swajaldhara Project funded by the global financial institution during a visit to Kothun village near here earlier this week. The team interacted with the villagers to assess the success of the projects.
Led by World Bank country director for India Roberto Zagha, the team evinced a keen interest in monitoring the benefits of the Moti Sagar, Galwa and Masi dam schemes being operated under the projects and sought suggestions from the villagers for making improvements.
According to an official release here, members of the village water users’ committee told the visiting team that a greater quantity of water was being supplied through canals to the region and the conservation efforts had received a robust support. Committee chairperson Mangilal Chaudhary said a higher financial assistance would help strengthen the canals.
The projects, initiated in 2001, have solved the problem of water scarcity and purportedly led to happy results such as more girls going to school and the villagers living peacefully without any altercation over their share of water.
Mr. Chaudhary said the villagers had also got rid of the fluoride problem ever since the projects were implemented.
The World Bank team also visited Duni Anwa and Gulabpura villages in Tonk district to witness the preparations for the upcoming visit of the World Bank president on December 3.
It observed the activities of the Maitri Mahila Mandal engaged in supply of milk to rural households and promised support to other self-help groups.
The team included Samuel Carlson, Rashid bin Masoud, Jacqueline Julian, Mandakini Kaul, Samita Mishra, R.S. Pathak and Sudip Majumdar. State Principal Planning Secretary D. B. Gupta and Chief Engineer (Irrigation) S. N. Satsangi accompanied the team.
