Jal Manthan-2 Begins

Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Sushri Uma Bharti has called for time bound implementation mechanism for 46 schemes under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yaojna (PMKSY). Inaugurating Jal manthan -2 convention on the theme “Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management” in New Delhi the Minister said 23 schemes have to be completed in the first phase by 2017. The remaining 23 will have to be completed by the year 2020. She urged the experts attending the convention to focus their discussion mainly on PMKSY and inter-linking of rivers.

The Minister said “Unless we identify the bottle necks in the implementation of PMKSY, we won’t be able to complete it in time”. She told the convention that she has directed her officials to constitute a working group in consultation with the representatives of various states within two days. The Minister said that this group will submit its report to her within 20 days identifying various steps which may be required for completing the 46 scheme under PMKSY in a time bound manner. Sushri Bharti said that she will take up the report of this group with the Prime Minister, Finance Ministry and NITI Aayog so that PMKSY can be implemented as per schedule.

The Minster also requested the states to identify financial constraints, if any, faced by them in the implementation of PMKSY. She also requested them to suggest changes if any, required in these 46 schemes. The Minister also requested the state to suggest changes if any required in the guidelines framed for PMKSY. The Minister said the focus on Jal Manthan -2 is on implementation aspect while Jal Manthan-1 was based on concept.

The Union Minister advocated development of various reservoirs and dams as important tourist spots. She said this will give more job opportunities for the people displaced under these projects. She also referred to the problems of contamination of ground water and requested the states to seek maximum public participation to check this menace.

Sushri Bharti also released four reports of Central Ground Water Board and a booklet on various decisions taken in the 56 review meetings held by her in the Ministry on the occasion. The inaugural session was also addressed by Union Minister of state for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof Sanwar Lal Jat, Irrigation Minister of UP Shri Surendra Singh Patel, Irrigation Minister of Telengana Shri T Harish Rao and Irrigation Minister of Sikkim Shri S A Pudyal .

The two day event will have consultations and discussions on River Basin Approach for Sustainable development, Ground water, Water security, Principles of allocation of water, innovation in water governance, Water management, Coordination between centre and states, Water conservation and need for a National Legislation on water. Irrigation/ Water Resources Ministers of States, eminent experts in water sector, representatives of NGOs and senior officers of the Central and State Governments are attending the event. It may be recalled that first Jal Manthan was organized in November 2014.