The task force on inter-linking of rivers is expected to soon submit to the government its report detailing the modalities of funding, implementation and plan of action on all relevant issues for the Rs 5,60,000 crore project.
Water resources minister Arjun Charan Sethi told the Fourth Editors Conference on social sector issues that plans are also afoot to hold a meeting of chief ministers to sort out problems in relation to the mega scheme for linking rivers across the country.
Former union minister Suresh Prabhu, who is heading the task force, has been visiting various states for interaction on issues concerning the project, he said.
"We are going to impose nothing on states. If they have any doubts, we are open for discussions....We have no pre-conceived ideas," Sethi said, trying to allay apprehensions expressed by the Kerala government that the Centre would go ahead with the interlinking of Pamba-Achankovil-Vaippar without arriving at a consensus.
Expressing concern over the overexploitation of ground water, he said that the Centre has been repeatedly urging the states to enact laws on regulation of use of ground water to check its depletion as also has asked them to take up schemes for artificial recharge of groundwater in a big way.
