(a) whether the Indian Government has had discussion with the Government of Nepal regarding multipurpose projects on the rivers Sharda, Kosi and Rapti;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of meetings held in this regard during the last three years along with the decisions taken therein;
(d) whether no progress has yet been made on the said projects; and
(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (SUSHRI UMA BHARTI)
(a)to(b)Yes, Madam. There is a well-established three-tier bilateral mechanism between India and Nepal for development of water resources of the rivers flowing from Nepal into India for mutual benefit of the two countries. The mechanism comprises of
(i) Joint Ministerial Level Commission on Water Resources (JMCWR) headed by the Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,
(ii) Joint Committee on Water Resources (JCWR) at the level of Secretaries (WR, RD &GR) and
(iii) Joint Standing Technical Committee (JSTC) at the level of Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission. These Committees, inter-alia, discuss multipurpose projects on the rivers (including Sharda, West Rapti and Kosi) for mutual benefits.
Further, there are Committees for various specific purpose related to water resources between India and Nepal such as Joint Team of Experts (JTE), Joint Committee on Kosi and Gandak Projects (JCKGP), Joint Committee on Inundation and Flood Management (JCIFM).
(c) The decisions taken in the meetings of the bilateral Committees during the last three years are given in Annexure-I.
(d)to(e) Substantial progress has been made, particularly, with regard to implementation of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project by approving Terms of Reference (TORs) and constituting PDA. The TORs of the Authority includes, inter-alia, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) acceptable to both the countries and addressing all the issues.
Further, the progress on other projects is taking place depending upon the local and political situation in the two countries.