RAS question
ERCP stands for:
Correct answer: (A) Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project.
ERCP stands for Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, a Rajasthan water-transfer project meant to use surplus monsoon water from the Chambal basin for eastern Rajasthan.
Explanation
ERCP expands to Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project. In Rajasthan, it is a water-transfer project linked to the Chambal basin, not a term for relief, energy or credit policy. According to the Press Information Bureau, the project envisages transferring surplus monsoon water from the Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej and Chakan sub-basins to water-deficit sub-basins such as the Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati, all within the Chambal basin. It aims to supply drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, with irrigation also envisaged. Therefore, A is the correct expansion.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Emergency Relief and Control Programme is not the Rajasthan government water-project acronym used for the Chambal-basin transfer.
- (C) Energy Resource Conservation Plan points to energy conservation, while ERCP refers to a canal and water-transfer project in Rajasthan.
- (D) Economic Reform and Credit Policy is unrelated to the PIB-described project concerning water transfer, drinking water and irrigation.
Concept
RAS tests Rajasthan economy through state infrastructure and water-resource projects, especially official acronyms tied to scheme objectives. Such questions recur because RAS often checks whether aspirants can link a flagship project name with its sector and purpose.