The Hindu : National : Views sought on river inter-linking

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Friday, Jul 08, 2005

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National

Views sought on river inter-linking

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources has sought from interested persons views on inter-linking of rivers so that it can come out with a "meaningful and objective'' report.

The committee, chaired by R. Sambasiva Rao, has said the objectives of the project are "mitigation of drought, flood control, augmentation of domestic and industrial water supply, enhancement of navigational facilities and employment generation''. Before embarking on it, the issues of environment impact assessment, rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected people and techno-economic feasibility of the link schemes will have to be addressed.

The Government proposes to take up 30 links starting from peninsular rivers at a cost of Rs. 5,60,000 crores. The first is the Ken-Betwa link between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The committee has invited written memoranda and it will even consider recording oral evidence from individuals/experts/professional organisations/ institutions.

The suggestions will form part of the panel and will be treated as `confidential'. These will not be allowed to be circulated by the individuals/institutions concerned and such an act will be a breach of privilege of the committee.

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