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As of March 2023, who among the following is the Union Minister of Jal Shakti?
Dharmendra Pradhan
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Giriraj Singh
Ramesh Pokhriyal
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat served as the Union Minister of Jal Shakti as of March 2023.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in May 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. This consolidation was a strategic move by the Government of India to provide clean drinking water to every rural household and focus on water conservation through a unified policy framework. The ministry oversees flagship initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide functional household tap connections to all rural homes.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti functions under the Union Government of India to manage water resources, drainage, and sanitation. Water is a State List subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution (Entry 17), but the Union government plays a critical role in inter-state river water disputes (Article 262) and national water policy formulation.
Ministry established in May 2019
Primary mandate includes providing piped water supply to rural households
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat served as the inaugural Minister of Jal Shakti
The ministry governs the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
B is correct тАФ Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was the Union Minister of Jal Shakti as of March 2023.
To remember this, associate the name Gajendra with 'Ganga' (the major river project under the ministry) and 'Jal' (Water). Understanding that this ministry was created specifically to integrate water and sanitation helps recall the intent behind the cabinet portfolio.