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The first meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Water Resources was held today under the Chairmanship of Minister for Water Resources Shri P. R. Dasmunsi. In his opening remarks, Shri Dasmunsi said that the Government is fully aware of the necessity of disilting water bodies and would launch the national water resources development project after completing pilot projects. He added that the pilot projects would start in January, next year. He explained to the Members of Parliament various initiatives taken by the Ministry for flood management and for anti erosion work, measures to check over exploitation of ground water and command area development. Shri Dasmunsi observed that the Command Area Development Programme has been restructured early this year as Command Area Development and Water Management Programme to bring greater water use efficiency.
A power point presentation detailing the activities of the Ministry was made for the benefit of the Members. It was explained that Planning Commission has given in principle approval to the scheme on repair and restoration of water bodies linked to the agriculture and the guidelines for the same have been prepared. It was also mentioned that the Cabinet will take up the Artificial Recharge Scheme at a cost of Rs. 175 crores through which 5088 artificial recharge structures will be financed between 2004 and 2007. It was also mentioned that rain water harvesting in Government buildings have been introduced and the Committee of Secretaries have constituted a task force for identifying Government buildings to be provided with rain water harvesting structures. CPWD as so far identified 65 buildings and design for 42 buildings have been provided by Central Ground Water Board. It was also mentioned that State Governments of Tamil Nadu, NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Haryana, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Daman and Diu have included rain water harvesting regulations in their building by laws.
Replying to a query on National Perspective Plan and inter linking of rivers, the Minister said that National Water Development Agency has identified 30 links, 14 in Himalayan and 16 in Peninsular region of which feasibility reports have been prepared in case of 13 and 17 are in progress.
Among others present in the meeting were Minister of State for Water Resources Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, Members of Parliament S/Shri S.P.Y. Reddy, Kunnur Manjunath Channappa, K. Subbarayan, Raghuraj Singh Shakya, Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala and Mohammad Muqueem.
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