The 11th National Water Convention organized by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) in New Delhi on May 11, 2005 at Vigyan Bhawan seems to be a half day non-consultation exercise to claim that "engagement with stakeholder" did take place.

The theme book of National Water Convention has papers of Chetan Pandit, Arbinda Ghose, A D Mohile, Rajendra Singh, Bhikshma Gujja et al, Kanchan chopra and others.

Several papers have been considered but not accepted by the Technical Sub-Committee of the NWDA for presentation might but then even the Feasibility Report of Ken-Betwa remains unapproved by the Technical Committee of the NWDA.

One wonders whether any of the paper writers in the Theme Book of NWDA have asked as to why the 1996 feasibility report of the Ken-Betwa remains technically unapproved.

One wonders also as to whether anyone has questioned the Supreme Court's assumption of "Consensus among the States" for Interlinking of Rivers despite Kerela Assembly's unanimous resolution against it which became the very basis of the court's order of 31st October 2002.


Agenda of the 11th National Water Convention:


National Anthem at 12.00

J Harinarayan, secretary, water resources will give the welcome address

C.C. Patel, former vice chairman of Task Force will give the key note
address on Water for Life with special reference to Interlinking of Rivers

Speech by Minister of State for Water Resources (RJD)

Speech by Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, Minister for Water Resources (Congress)

Speech by President of India

Vote of thanks by Chairman Central Water Commission

National Anthem

Lunch

Technical Sessions