River Linking Can Raise the Irrigation Capacity of the Country by 90%: Uma Bharti

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Three Day National Conference on Issues of Optimal Use of Water Resources Begins

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has said that inter-linking of river will raise the irrigation capacity of the country by 90 percent. Inaugurating the national conference on issues for optimal use of water resources called “Jal Manthan” here today, the Minister said that there is no shortage of water in our country. She said excess rain water in our country flows in to seas through rivers. We need to conserve this water by inter-linking the rivers.The Minister said, in our country irrigation schemes take lot of time and money to complete. She said only farmer can feel the pain of these delayed projects. The Minister said that when she became Minister in the centre, many Ministers and Secretaries from various States came to her and explained their problems about water resources and irrigation. The Minister promised that after going through the recommendations of Jal Manthan deliberation, she will make necessary amendments to the schemes and plans of the Ministry. She said that Prime Minister has desired that we should ensure that irrigation facility is provided to every field of each farmer without any extra cost.

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Rural Development Minister Choudhary Birender Singh and Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat also addressed the inaugural session. The three day event has been organized by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to take up wide ranging consultations with the state Water Resources/ Irrigation Ministers, Secretaries and a range of other stakeholders. The focus will be on refining policies of the Ministry to make them more people friendly and responsive to the needs of the states.

The first day of the conference was devoted for deliberations on the three flagship schemes being implemented by the Union Government through Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, viz., Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies and Flood Management Programme. New proposals, such as, Incentivizing States for Water Sector Reforms India Water Resources Information System and Hydrology Project III were also discussed.

The second day of the conference will be devoted to issues related to inter-linking of rivers in the country. It is proposed to deliberate on various aspects of inter-linking as the programme has evoked strong reactions from civil societies and environmental groups. The event would provide a platform to address the concerns and clarify issues raised by them.

On the third day of conference, it is proposed to hold deliberations on broader issues of water conservation and management with civil societies, non-governmental organisations and water user communities. The focus will be on water Security, Humane Face to Water Projects, Farm Water Management and Rejuvenation of Water Bodies.