Explanation:

The meeting of the GST council was held recently in Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan.

During the meet, Rajasthan state reiterated its demand for a special status with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot pointing out that the cost of delivery of even basic serices was high as compared to other states.

The Chief Minister pointed out that be it water, electricity, education, health or road infrastructure sector, the investment required in Rajasthan is high compared to other states.

Chief Minister of Rajasthan has been strongly demanding national project status for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).

While very little work could be started on the project owing to its high costs, ERCP is crucial to ensure water for drinking and irrigation in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan.

The minister asserted that Rajasthan, the largest state of India with a geographical area of 342.52 lakh hectares which amounts to 10.4 percent of the entire country, holds only 1.16 percent of India’s surface water and 1.72 percent of groundwater.