Tuesday, August 23 2005 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Inter-state disputes over sharing of river waters have affected implementation of irrigation projects, Rajya Sabha was informed today (Aug 23, 2005).

The disputes related to Cauvery waters and Krishna waters have been referred to the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) respectively, Minister of State for Water Resources Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav said in a written reply.

The Ministry has also been making efforts towards negotiated settlement of the Mahadai water dispute, he said.

To another question, Yadav said six Tribunals have been constituted under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, out of which three have given final reports.

• Rivers: He said though most of the states are supportive of the idea of interlinking of rivers programme, provided it ensures a 'win-win' situation for all states, some states have reservations and they disagree over water surpluses as worked out by National Water Development Agency.
  
  
• Underground: Minister for Water Resources Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said soft drinks multi-national companies are tapping ground water in various parts of the country.
  
  He said in order to regulate ground water withdrawal by industries, including aerated drink, Central Ground Water Authority has circulated a list of critical areas to state Pollution Control Boards, Ministry of Environment Forests which refer proposals of new industries to CGWA for obtaining no objection certificates.
  
  
• Panchayats: Minister of Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar said the Government of Haryana is working with the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj to implement compendium of consensus points for action adumbrated in seven Round Tables held between July and December, 2004.
  
  In addition, he said Villahe Panchayat will be Principal Agency for planning, implementation and monitoring of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
  
  
• Tourism: Tourism Minister Renuka Chowdhury said Consultancy and Business Development Division of India Tourism Development Corporation has been engaged in consultation with the States concerned for preparation of Project Reports for creation of tourism infrastructure in destinations and circuits for Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
  
  
• Ropeway: She said there was a proposal before the Government to set up a ropeway at Nandi Hills outside Bangalore. The proposal for integrated Development of Nandi Hills (including ropeway) was submitted by state government in 2004-05.
  
  
• Saifai: The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned an amount of Rs 102.49 lakhs during 2003-04 for beautification of Pucca Talab (Saifai Pond) and renovation of Kalivahan Temple in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. Saifai is the village of UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh.
  
  
  PTI