Ground Water Conservation Mission

Question: Under the Ground Water Conservation Mission, how many development blocks and cities have been selected in Uttar Pradesh?
(a) 240 development blocks, 15 cities
(b) 255 development blocks, 18 cities
(c) 271 development blocks, 22 cities
(d) 285 development blocks, 22 cities
Answer: (c)
Related facts:

• On August 17th, 2017, Uttar Pradesh cabinet gave its approval to the decision of the Ground Water Department to run a Ground Water Conservation Mission.
• This will be the first of its own kind mission at State level for ground water conservation.
• Its purpose is to implement various programs for rainwater harvesting and integrated management of ground water resources in mission mode with public participation.
• Under this mission 271, developmental blocks and 22 cities have been selected.
• This mission will be operated in 15 development blocks of the Bundelkhand region and 7 development blocks in the eastern region in the financial year 2017-18.
• A master plan based on the watershed principle in these selected development blocks will be built for recharging.
• To convert water conservation into a mass movement, water panchayat at the village level and ground water force at the district level are being set up.
• The Ground Water Force will work to spread awareness of the importance of ground water amongst the general public.
• The main purpose of the Water Panchayat is to ensure water conservation and its proper use in the rehabilitated ponds by encouraging community efforts.
• Most of the members of Water Panchayat will be women and 10-20% will be male members.
• To ensure successful implementation of the mission Geological Water Department will provide with important data and master plan of various departments.
• Under various Schemes (such as MNREGA, Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme, National Agricultural Development Scheme, Bundelkhand Package and National Drinking Water Program) through participation by different departments the pond redevelopment, check dam construction, farm pond construction, the reconstruction of the bandhas, the Kantur / Peripheral band etc. will be constructed.

Reference:
http://information.up.nic.in/View_Hindinews.aspx?id=531
https://twitter.com/CMOfficeUP/status/898460117838024704
http://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow-city-guideline-of-state-ground-water-conservation-mission-approved-16557351.html
http://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow/story-state-landwater-conservation-mission-scheme-1317737.html