‘The era of big dams is over. We must have small dams, recharge ground water, harvest rain water’

SAIFUDDIN SOZ: I would like to enumerate the major areas of concern regarding water resources. A few areas are in sharp focus. One is ground water — it is like a cash deposit. You can take the interest but you cannot touch the principal amount without depleting it. The PM takes considerable interest in water issues and there is an advisory council now that meets every year. We also have a Ground Water Congress. Last year at the Congress, we gave away many awards, especially to NGOs. We realise those people have been doing very good work.

The next area is irrigation. We must increase the potential of irrigation as it is the key to agricultural development. Lots of money is being pumped into irrigation. For instance, the allocation for the 11th Plan is more than double the money that was available for irrigation in the 10th Plan. But personally speaking, I’m still not satisfied because in the 6th Plan perspective. We achieved a miracle — 12.5 per cent of the GDP went to irrigation. Thereafter, the investment in irrigation has been dwindling. Then there is the question of interlinking of rivers. There was some propaganda, last year, that we put this matter on the back burner. That is not the fact: the states have to take decisions regarding this. I have taken considerable interest and there are signs that some states will agree.

We have selected some rivers for conservation. We call them ‘national projects’. It has been a story of terrible neglect. Take the Yamuna: for 30 years a great deal of funding has been wasted — it is still polluted, its hydraulic potential has not been realised, its drinking water is not worth drinking and irrigation lags behind. I would reiterate: water is very important. But in general, people think it is important only when they feel thirsty. It is the key to agricultural development. Climate change is another concern of mine. The National Institute of Hydrology is studying glaciers in Gangotri and Zanzar. In July we shall have the first report.

Then there is the issue of water pricing. I instituted a committee that gave a good report. We plan to go ahead with it. We shall ensure proper pricing concessions go to civil society but industry must pay. It should share its profits. As for flood management, I believe we shouldn’t wait for the monsoons. The monsoons come and troubles follows. At that stage, my ministry cannot do anything. I believe that between monsoons we must build embankments.

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