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Rajya Sabha
Two proposals for interlinking of rivers, which have attracted considerable attention were given by Dr. K. L. Rao in 1972 and Captain Dastur in 1977. These proposals were not found techno-economically viable. Later, the Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) (erstwhile Ministry of Irrigation) and Central Water Commission (CWC) formulated a National perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development in 1980 envisaging interbasin transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit basins/areas which comprises of two components namely Himalayan Rivers Development Component and Peninsular Rivers Development Component. The Peninsular Rivers Development Component of NPP was discussed in the Conference of the State Irrigation Ministers held during 1980 and 1981 and were welcomed by all. Seeing the merit of the concept, National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was set up under the MOWR in 1982 for carrying out various technical studies to establish the feasibility of the proposals of NPP and to give concrete shape to it. Based on various studies conducted, NWDA has identified 30 links for preparing Feasibility Reports (FRs). NWDA has completed feasibility reports for thirteen links. With a view to bringing about a consensus among the states and provide guidance on norms of appraisal of individual projects and modalities for project funding etc., the Central Government had set up a Task Force in December, 2002. The Task Force had submitted the required Action Plans to the Government. The National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government indicates that it will make a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of linking the rivers of the country starting with the southern rivers and this assessment will be done in a fully consultative manner. After the comprehensive assessment, it has been decided that river linking programme be continued with a focus on peninsular rivers.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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