SECOND DAY OF CM’S
SINGAPORE VISIT
Jaipur, The Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje,
in formal meeting with Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and
Water Resources, Singapore discussed a range of issues on the second day of her
official visit to Singapore. Smt. Raje in course of the discussions raised
issues pertinent to the State and apprised Mr. Balakrishnan on the Rajasthan
reform agenda.
Dr.
Balakrishnan was appreciative of Rajasthan’s recent efforts and both leaders
agreed that education for all was the key to all round development. Both
leaders agreed that perspective planning and proper enforcement of statutes was
important for effective implementation. Dr. Balakrishnan gave the example of
the Marina Barrage Project of Singapore, which was not just an engineering feat
but also called for enforcement against littering, smart metering etc.
Political patronage, should also extend to enforcement, he added.
The
Chief Minister enquired on the water pricing mechanism in place in Singapore
and showed interest to the concept of linking prices to the opportunity cost of
desalination of water. In Singapore water supply and electricity is not
subsidized and infact energy is linked to water as reverse osmosis has a
significant energy cost. Smt. Raje welcomed the suggestion of making units of
habitation, self sufficient in energy requirements in the State.
The
two leaders discussed on how ITI graduates could be involved in setting up
solar panels, laying down and repair pipelines and carrying out over all
maintenance thereby reducing overheads and bringing in efficiency. Smt. Raje
also enquired the possibility of having small, decentralized units
manufacturing membranes in Rajasthan. The two leaders also had detailed
discussions on maximizing Rajasthan’s advantages in the solar sector and how
solar energy could be linked to reducing drudgery of women in western Rajasthan
since the expenses involved in a woman carrying water, if factored in, works
out to be very high. Smt. Raje invited Mr. Balakrishnan to visit Rajasthan.
The
Chief Minister was accompanied by India’s High Commissioner to Singapore Smt.
Vijay Thakur Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Infrastructure) Shri C. S.
Rajan, Member of CM Advisory Council Smt. Meera Mehrishi, Principal Secretary
Finance Shri P. S. Mehra and Secretary to Chief Minister Shri Tanmay Kumar.
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