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            The second point is inter-linking of rivers.  By inter-linking of rivers, we can avoid floods, we can avoid drought and we can provide employment to many people in the country.  Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, every year the Central Government is providing Rs. 12,000 crore, and in five years the Central Government is providing Rs. 60,000 crore.  For inter-linking of rivers, the Central Government can provide Rs. 1 lakh crore in ten years.  If that is done, then we can provide employment, we can avoid floods, and  we can provide safe drinking water to the people of this country.  These are the advantages of inter-linking of rivers.  Already the Task Force has given its Report to the Government of India.  Even the Supreme Court also gave a direction to the Government of India to go ahead with inter-linking of rivers.  Money is not the criterion.  Now, the Indian economy is growing.  We are achieving 10 per cent GDP.  Money is not at all a problem.  Where there is a will, there is a way. 

            Since it is a State subject, the States have to agree. We are only coordinating the effort. We are taking it very seriously. I can tell you that some of us may not be working but most of the Indians are working and I can tell this House that I found to my surprise that the Task Force instituted by the hon. Prime Minister for flood management has done a commendable work in the Central Water Commission. I express my thanks to them.

            I want to tell you that some institutions in India have become very strong. [MSOffice69] In the Central Ground Water Board, The Central Ground Water Authority, the Central Water Commission people have been working very hard. Therefore, inter-linking of rivers is in the forefront and it is receiving great attention from the Ministry. There will be a day when these five links will come up. The other links will also come in in the course.

SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : What about the permanent solution of inter-linking of rivers?  You were saying something about it. … (Interruptions)

SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL: I will come to that.

जहां तक सांसद नधि के उपयोग का प्रश्न है, कुछ सम्माननीय सदस्यों ने पूछा है, आपने पूछा है और माननीय सदस्य, कर्नाटक ने भी पूछा है। मैं आपको बताना चाहूंगा कि गुजरात में जब अर्थक्वेक आया था तो हम लोगों ने भी अपने फंड से एक-एक करोड़ रुपया दिया था। ...( व्यवधान) सुनामी में भी दस लाख रुपये दिये थे। मगर इसका निर्णय होम मनिस्ट्री नहीं लेती। इसका निर्णय स्पीकर साहब लेते हैं। आप लोग स्पीकर साहब से बात कीजिए। पहले भी ऐसा हुआ है और अगर जरूरत पड़ी तो इसमें आपको भी इजाजत मिल जायेगी। खास तौर पर उन स्टेट्स में इजाजत मिल जायेगी, जहां पर यह समस्या पैदा हुई है। लेकिन यह इजाजत इरिगेशन मनिस्ट्री या होम मनिस्ट्री की तरफ से नहीं मिलती है। यह साहब से अख्तियार की बात है, वह जैसा बोल दें ...( व्यवधान)