New Delhi, Aug 03: Concerned over increasing number of water-sharing disputes among states, Union Water Resources Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi today said there is a need for initiating a national dialogue on the issue as also on surface and ground water management.
"Food security concept cannot be ensured if water security in terms of utilisation is not guaranteed," he said at the valedictory session of the two-day conference of chief
secretaries to discuss water related issued here.
Dasmunsi said time has come to initiate a national dialogue to address more seriously "legislative aspect relating to water-sharing as well as a new look at the constitutional provisions also".
Turning to the rehabilitation aspect of uprooted families while constructing reservoirs, he said he was told that in the Sardar Sarovar Project even basic rehabilitation has not been done. "I am going to examine it", he said.
"Uprooting families in the name of civilisation is not civilisation," he said.
Dasmunsi came up with the idea of exchange of farmers among the states to have a better understanding of the real situation.
Bureau Report
