Inter-linking of rivers is being supervised by Supreme Court and hence no one should doubt the integrity of centre on this issue. This was stated by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti here today while presiding over the second meeting of the special committee for Inter-linking of Rivers. Seeking co-operation of various States in this project of national importance, she said States can discuss their apprehensions if any, in the next meeting of the committee. Sushri Bharti said benefits of this project will be immense. Referring to the apprehensions expressed by some environmentalists, the Minister said that the Government will ensure that there is no loss to the environment due to this project. The Minister said she is taking keen interest in the project and will meet concerned Chief Ministers. She informed the meeting that tomorrow she will meet Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis to discuss Damanganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada link projects with him.
It may be recalled that Supreme Court of India vide its Judgment dated February 21, 2012 in WP (C) 512 of 2002 along with WP (C) 668 of 2002 Networking of Rivers had directed for setting up a special Committee for inter-linking of Rivers. The Government of India vide its resolution dated December 13, 2002 constituted the Task Force on Interlinking of Rivers under the chairmanship of Shri Suresh Prabhu, a former Union Minister. An expert group from IIM. Ahmedabad set up by the Task Force submitted in December 2006, a Report on Organizational Structure for Interlinking of Rivers. Subsequently, vide Gazetted Notification dated September 23, 2014 the Ministry of Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation constituted a special committee for inter-linking of rivers under the chairpersonship for Union Minister for Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The Director General of National Water Development Agency is the Member Secretary of the Committee. The first meeting of the Special Committee for Inter-Linking of Rivers was held on October 17, 2014 in New Delhi.
Samir/jk
It may be recalled that Supreme Court of India vide its Judgment dated February 21, 2012 in WP (C) 512 of 2002 along with WP (C) 668 of 2002 Networking of Rivers had directed for setting up a special Committee for inter-linking of Rivers. The Government of India vide its resolution dated December 13, 2002 constituted the Task Force on Interlinking of Rivers under the chairmanship of Shri Suresh Prabhu, a former Union Minister. An expert group from IIM. Ahmedabad set up by the Task Force submitted in December 2006, a Report on Organizational Structure for Interlinking of Rivers. Subsequently, vide Gazetted Notification dated September 23, 2014 the Ministry of Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation constituted a special committee for inter-linking of rivers under the chairpersonship for Union Minister for Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The Director General of National Water Development Agency is the Member Secretary of the Committee. The first meeting of the Special Committee for Inter-Linking of Rivers was held on October 17, 2014 in New Delhi.
Samir/jk
