Order
1. Pursuant to the order dated 20-1-2003, an affidavit dated 5-5-2003 has been filed by Mr B.P Pandey, Deputy Commissioner, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, annexing thereto the resolution dated 13-12-2002 constituting a Task Force, timetable for interlinking of rivers, other resolutions nominating part-time and full-time members of the Task Force and few other documents.
2. It seems that in the last about four months three meetings of the Task Force have been held on 6-1-2003, 27-3-2003 and 28-4-2003. In the last meeting the first action plan as per the government resolution was considered and adopted. Now as per Action Plan I the schedule for implementation is 10 years from the start. It stipulates that the work on the links can be started from 2007. It is envisaged to be completed by, say, end of 2016. Further, it envisages that the group of Task Force for interlinking rivers will examine the two schedules and is expected to arrive at a reasonable and predicable implementation schedule in due course. According to Action Plan I the said Task Force has laid emphasis on demonstrative value of starting work on a link or two, as soon as possible.
3. The process of preparation of a detailed project report for an inter-basin link needs to cover also, detailed environmental impact assessment, environmental management plan and R and R plan for project-affected persons. We find no substance in the apprehension that the Task Force will not implement the law. We have also no doubt that in case the other experts in the field provide necessary inputs to the Task Force, it will give it due consideration if the same deserves.
4. For the present, we would direct posting of the matter after six months.
Court Masters