Barmer, Oct. 23 -- The Rajasthan government has ordered a halt on the construction of private "tanka" (traditional underground water storage structures) under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), sparking strong opposition from local leaders across the Thar region. In a circular issued on October 21 by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (MGNREGA Wing), Jaipur, all district collectors and programme coordinators were instructed to stop the approval of tanka construction works under the "Apna Khet Apna Kaam" scheme until further notice. The decision followed a report by the National Level Monitor (NLM), which inspected MGNREGA works in Barmer district. The committee observed that most of the tankas constructed were not being used for agricultural or irrigation purposes but primarily for storing drinking water. It said such works "do not fulfill the objectives of MGNREGA," which aims to create durable assets for livelihood and agricultural sustainability. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, including Barmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary, who have demanded that the government immediately withdraw the order. MP Ummedaram Beniwal called the decision a "Tughlaqi farman" (dictatorial decree), posting on X. "Issuing such an order on the day of Diwali reflects an absurd irony - 'People will die of thirst while policies stay on paper." He further wrote, "Making such decisions from air-conditioned offices without understanding ground realities is a grave injustice to the people of the Thar. These tankas are the lifeline that quench the thirst of our desert communities." "A dagger in the back of the desert," says Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary. Chaudhary, also the Congress in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, released a video statement condemning the government's move. He said, "On the day the entire country was celebrating Diwali, the government stabbed the desert in the back by banning tankas. These are not concrete structures - they are our lifelines." Chaudhary called the reasoning behind the order "illogical," arguing that tankas serve not only as a vital source of drinking water for humans and livestock but also support small-scale cultivation and storage in desert areas. He added that the water collected in these traditional structures is purer than canal water, saying, "The Indira Gandhi Canal brings diseases and pollution. The rainwater stored in tankas is the cleanest and most natural form of water - even science can't dispute that." According to Chaudhary, around 3.5 lakh (350k) tankas have been built in Rajasthan under MGNREGA, with an average cost of Rs.3 lakh per unit. He further said, "Over the past five years, 1.5 lakh (150k) tankas have been constructed. Instead of appreciating this successful model of water conservation, the government has punished us by imposing a ban." Chaudhary further challenged the central government, claiming that tankas represent "one of the most successful models of water conservation in the world adding that "Prime Minister Modi should withdraw this cruel decision. Send any national or international agency for inspection - no model will match the effectiveness of these tankas." The October 21 order cited NLM findings which stated that under MGNREGA's 266 permissible work categories, tanka construction is classified under "farm pond" projects aimed at irrigation and agricultural use. However, the inspection revealed that most tankas in Barmer were used for drinking water storage, hence failing to meet MGNREGA's core objectives. Following this observation, the state government directed that approval for new tanka construction under MGNREGA be suspended until further orders....