NETWORKING OF RIVERS Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have perused the affidavit of Mr M.S. Gupta, Senior Joint Commissioner (Basin Division), Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India dated 24-8-2004 along with which progress report in the matter of interlinking of rivers has been filed. The progress report being not very clear, on our query, the learned Solicitor General states that the Government has taken, in principle, decision to continue with interlinking of rivers. The matter, after comprehensive review is likely to be placed before the Cabinet after about six weeks.

(2.) The report of the Standing Committee on Water Resources has been taken on record. Our attention has also been drawn by Mr Ranjit Kumar, Amicus Curiae to the Report of the Standing Committee on Water Resources 2004-2005 inter alia stating that the Committee desires the Government to make earnest efforts to get going the interlinking of the northern and southern rivers under the ILR Programme in a definite time schedule which, in their considered view, would save the nation from the devastating ravages of chronic droughts and floods.

(3.) Be that as it may, as prayed by the learned Solicitor General, we defer the matter by eight weeks. The up-to-date progress report be filed within eight weeks and the matter be listed thereafter.