Jal Manthan Will Become an Annual Feature Says Uma Bharti Jal Manthan-2 Concludes Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Sushri Uma Bharti has announced that Jal Manthan convention will become an annual feature Delivering the valedictory address at Jal Mantha-2 in New Delhi today she said the response to the two Jal Manthan conclaves was overwhelming. The Minister also announced that her Ministry will closely monitor all the 46 projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yaojna (PMKSY). Sushri Bharti said that some of the issues which could not be included in Jal Manthan-2 will be taken up in India Water Week to be held in April. The Minister underlined the need for large scale peoples participation and co-operation of NGOs in various important schemes such as inter-linking of rivers and PMKSY. The Water Resources Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Brijmohan Agrawal underlined the need for giving more stress on micro irrigation projects in the country. He said in the years to come, we may not be left with sufficient land for construction for new canals hence, it would be prudent to consider micro irrigation projects over large irrigation projects. The two day event with the theme Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management had wide 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 Ministers from UP, Telengana, Sikkim and Chhattisgarh, eminent experts in water sector, representatives of NGOs and senior officers of the Central and State Governments attended the event. Samir/jk
