Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Inter-Linking Of Rivers In Peninsular India. on 10 June, 2014
an> Title : Regarding inter-linking of rivers in Peninsular India.
DR. P. VENUGOPAL (TIRUVALLUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to raise a matter of urgent public importance.
I wish to impress upon the need to interlink peninsular rivers on war footing. The Government of Tamil Nadu has been repeatedly impressing upon the Centre the need to implement interlinking of the rivers Mahanadhi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Palar-Cauvery and then on to Gundar as also the diversion of waters of the west-flowing rivers of Pamba and Achankovil to Vaippar in Tamil Nadu under the Peninsular Rivers Development Component. … (Interruptions) The Government has to decide.
HON. CHAIRPERSON : I will go through the proceedings. If there is anything objectionable, I will remove it. I am assuring you that if something is objectionable, I will remove it.
… (Interruptions)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: I am assuring you that I will go through the proceedings. If anything is objectionable, I will omit it.
… (Interruptions)
DR. P. VENUGOPAL : Mr. Chairman, Sir, the Government has to decide it. … (Interruptions)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Members, take your seat now.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN (KOLLAM): Mr. Chairman, Sir, this is a matter which is pending for adjudication in the court. … (Interruptions)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: That is why I have taken the stand that if anything is objectionable, and if there is anything which should not come on record, it will not remain on record. I am telling you.
… (Interruptions)
DR. P. VENUGOPAL : Mr. Chairman, Sir, Tamil Nadu is part of India. … (Interruptions)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Venugopal, if there is anything pending in the court, you should not raise that matter.
… (Interruptions)
DR. P. VENUGOPAL : On 27th February, 2012, the Supreme Court directed the Government of India to constitute a Special Committee for the implementation of interlinking of rivers. However, after the formation of the Committee in May 2013, no further step has been taken to implement interlinking of rivers project. Tamil Nadu being a water deficient State, I appeal to the Centre to immediately activate the Special Committee for interlinking of rivers. For overcoming the water scarcity for irrigation and drinking purposes, Tamil Nadu had sought Central Government’s assistance for implementation of Athikadavu-Avinashi Flood Canal Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,862 crore. … (Interruptions)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Venugopal, please conclude now.
… (Interruptions)
DR. P. VENUGOPAL : Pennaiyar-Palar Link Scheme and Pennaiyar-Nedungal Anicut-Palar Link at an estimated cost of Rs. 500 crore has also been proposed to the Centre. … (Interruptions)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Venugopal, please conclude now.
… (Interruptions)
DR. P. VENUGOPAL : These projects may be expedited so that the fund is allocated as early as possible. The proposal to divert the flood waters of Cauvery to drought-prone areas by linking the rivers Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar at a cost of Rs. 5,166 crore that was returned by the previous Government may be approved expeditiously.
I urge upon the Government to expedite these schemes pertaining to Tamil Nadu at the earliest.