Jaipur: Targeting the financial management of the proposed Rs 33,000 crore Yamuna water project, leader of opposition Tikaram Jully Monday questioned how the BJP govt plans to finance the ambitious scheme, alleging that it has neither disclosed the funding source nor presented a clear roadmap despite signing an agreement with Haryana.Former CM Ashok Gehlot questioned the secrecy surrounding the new Yamuna water MOA with Haryana, demanding its disclosure. He warned that if it prioritises Haryana’s share, it violates the 1994 agreement mandating pro-rata distribution of Yamuna waters among all states.Jully said the project was confined to “MOUs and MOAs” over the past two-and-a-half years, with no tangible progress on the ground.Reacting to the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between Rajasthan and Haryana, Jully raised concerns over the project’s estimated cost of Rs 33,000 crore and asked how such a massive expenditure would be financed.“The govt is only playing the politics of paper agreements, while the public continues to yearn for every drop of water,” Jully said, questioning both the state’s intent and its ability to execute the project.Recalling chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s earlier assurances, Jully said the CM claimed in 2024 that the detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared within four months.“Even after two-and-a-half years, there is no sign of the DPR. Sometimes the govt signs an MOU and sometimes an MOA, but not an inch of work has progressed on the ground,” he alleged.Jully also questioned the viability of the agreement in light of Haryana’s position that Rajasthan would receive only surplus Yamuna water.“If there is no surplus water in the river, what will the drought-prone regions of Rajasthan get? Is this agreement merely a deception?” he asked.He said the govt must clarify the financial, technical and operational aspects of the project instead of relying solely on announcements and agreements.
