New Delhi: Observing that it would carefully examine techno-economic feasibility of the mega-project of linking of rivers, Government today (June 7, 2004) said it would take steps to amicably settle issues like the Cauvery water dispute keeping in view the interest of all parties.

"The Government will accelerate the development and use of the country's irrigation potential," President A P J Abdul Kalam told a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament while outlining the policies of the Congress-led coalition Government.

He said starting with peninsular rivers, the environmental, ecological and techno-economic feasibility of linking the rivers of the country will be carefully examined.

"Steps will be taken to ensure that long-pending inter-state disputes on rivers and water-sharing, like the Cauvery water dispute, are settled amicably keeping in view the interests of all parties to the dispute," he said adding that all ongoing projects will be completed in a time-bound manner.