Uma for deciding definition of rivers’ surplus water

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti has underlined the need for deciding the definition of “surplus water” of rivers once for all. Chairing the 10th meeting of the special committee for inter-linking of rivers, the minister said that this issue has to be sorted out in consultations with states.

“Till this contentious issue is decided the dispute about surplus water will continue to crop up time and again”, the minister said, adding that for this the government require a detailed study of country’s agricultural land, including irrigated land, non-irrigated land, agricultural produce and their market. Bharti further said that her ministry would take a final call on this issue after detailed deliberation with the states. A Jal Manthan (seminar on water related issues) would also be held to deliberate on this issue, she said. 

Stressing on the need for speedy implementation of inter linking of river projects, the minister said, “I hope that National Water Development Agency will work with more vigour and will complete the delayed inter linking projects in a time bound manner.”

Present in the meeting, Water Resources Minister of Bihar Rajiv Ranjan Singh raised the issue of flood in the rivers flowing into Bihar form Nepal. “Keeping this in view the issue of inter-linking of rivers in the state should be taken up on priority.