New Delhi, Dec 8, 2008 : The Ministry of Jal Shakti will likely make announcements of the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), for the Ken Betwa interlinking projects. Last year, the National Water Development Agency’s sub-committee on restructuring had suggested that a NIRA-like structure be created.
The NWDA is an agency, and restructuring would allow for an ‘Authority with powers’.
The NWDA would be incorporated in NIRA.”We have moved the cabinet note from the Ministry of Jal Shakti,” confirmed a senior official of Ministry of Jal Shakti.
NIRA would be an autonomous body that would plan and act as the Nodal Body for projects related to the interlinking rivers throughout the country.
The funding ratio for the interlinking rivers projects is 90:10.(Centre: state).NIRA would be responsible to procure finance from central and state governments as well as multi-lateral financial institutions like the World Bank, ADB and JICA.
As previously announced, each interlinking project would be supported by a special purpose vehicle (SPV).
“Accords between the states involved are essential for the SPV to become a reality.The official stated that we have not yet reached an agreement between Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Ken Betwa.
Therefore, the SPV for Ken Betwa will likely be announced soon.
The official declined to give a date.
Sources within the Ministry stated that the announcement would be made before the Election Commission announced dates for the Assembly elections.If this happens, the model code would kick in and no announcements will be possible.
Uttar Pradesh is due to hold elections in the first quarter of next year.
When asked if the SPV would still be publicized before the project receives all the necessary statutory clearances, the official replied, “We are also working on it parallelly.”
The Ken Betwa interlinking rivers has been mired in controversy for many years.It has yet to receive three major clearances.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is currently awaiting the environmental clearance.The stage II (final), Forest Clearance and subsequent state approval are still pending.
In this case, the Madhya Pradesh government is responsible.Last but not least, the Central Empowered Committee was appointed by the Supreme Court and has submitted the report to it with its objections to the clearance of wildlife.
The court is yet to comment on the matter.
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