The interlinking of rivers project that was initiated by the NDA
government has been approved by the Supreme Court. Central and state
governments have been directed to implement projects under the scheme of
linking rivers. A high level committee has been constituted for the
planning and implementation of the same.
The directive has been issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice S H
Kapadia. ”We direct the Union of India to forthwith constitute a
committee for interlinking of rivers. We direct the committee to
implement the project”.
“My
concern is only with what is the financial liability of the project. We
want to make it clear that we would not pass order on it if it causes
huge financial burden,” said the bench, reiterating the need for a
financial outline related to the project.
The bench also observed that the observing that the project was delayed
unduly, which furthered its implementing cost. Central and state
governments have been directed to work in a coordinated manner, for
“effective implementation in a time bound manner”. A high-level
committee appointed by the court consists of representatives from Water
Resources Ministry, Finance Ministry, Planning Commission, NGOs, etc.
The brainchild of NDA regime, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee formed a task force for its implementation to fight the acute
drought of 2002. The project outlined in detail how the Peninsular
rivers and Himalayan rivers including Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra,
Godavari, Kaveri, Vaigai etc could be linked for a perennial water
supply.
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