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The Government has wound up the task force on inter-linking of rivers and has created a Special Cell on Inter-Linking of Rivers Programme under the Ministry of Water Resources headed by Ms Neena Garg, Joint Secretary. The Special Cell has been constituted to look after the residual routine works of the Task Force and to take necessary follow up actions on the Inter-Linking of Rivers Programme under the Ministry of Water Resources. The Special Cell is supported by two Senior Technical Officers of NWDA (National Water Development Agency).
The Government had constituted the Task Force on Inter-Linking of Rivers in December 2002 with a view to bringing about consensus among states and provide guidance on norms of appraisal of individual link proposals and modalities for project funding, cost recovery etc. The Task Force having advisory role has since submitted its recommendations and thus has completed its mandated task.
As provided in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the UPA Government, it has also been decided to pursue the Inter-Linking of Rivers programme with a focus on the Peninsular River Component in a fully consultative manner. The Government has already constituted a High Level Committee of environmentalists, social scientists and other experts to attend to the environmental and social concerns in the Detailed Project Reports.
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