River linking of high importance: Uma Bharti

Inter-linking of India's rivers is of utmost importance,

Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti said on Saturday.

She also said her ministry is doing everything possible to solve the country's water- related problems.

"River linking is very important for the country and my ministry is busy doing it sincerely, " she said at a function here organised to take stock of the progress of the work done by her ministry.

The minister also said that there were "things that could be learnt from other countries" when it comes to saving and rejuvenating water bodies in the country.

"We have a lot to learn from other countries like United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and other who have been able to kept their rivers and other water bodies clean and live," she said, adding that India is a country with different needs and culture.

"Many of the countries have already expressed their desire to help us rejuvenate our rivers and are learning from them but in India people take dip in rivers, like in Ganga itself, crores of people take dip every year, so it has to have different kind of plan," she said.

Asking people to give her more time to get results on ground, Bharti said she is happy that this ministry is given to her and would everything possible to solve water problems of the country.

"I am clear about what all is to done. Most of projects are being carried out under Supreme Court's observation but it would take us some more time deliver results on the ground," she said, promising to review the work of ministry every now and then.

She further said Congress' proposed Kiran rally on Sunday (April 19) is "an effort to save their existence".