Perform or face closure, Gadkari warns research institutes, officials

Roorkee, Dec 12: Union Surfacce Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari warned the research institutes and their officials to perform and give results or face closure. Mere writing books and publishing research papers will not suffice, the minister said.

Gadkari was addressing the international conference on ground water here. He said that in his capacity as a minister he would “count actual performance” of each institution related to his ministry and added that only “writing books and publishing research papers” would not be sufficient.

Gadkari who also holds the portfolio of river development and Gang Rejuvenation, made a strong pitch for evolving a vision to conserve water in innovative and cost effective ways as it is the most important factor of the country’s economy.

The Seventh International Ground Water Conference was orgnaized by the National Institute of Hydrology (Roorkee) and Ventral Ground Water Board in collaboration with Global Groundwater Scientists and Texas A & M Univerisity, USA.

Gadkari also talked against a vision that is laced with “differences, debates and mere discussions”. “As a minister, I am going to count performance of every institution… you have to show.. what is the use of your institution to the society, country, poor people. “Or else, I will take the decision to close all the things (institutions)… If you are not going to justify it (one’s role), no problem, then you have to quit,” Gadkari said.

The minister said that outcome of such conferences should be visible on the ground, benefiting common man, particularly farmers.

Gadkari said he likes officials who get works done and spoke against alleged dillydallying in carrying out works. “Two-two years are spent on preparing DPR (detailed project reports). What kind of study is required in that (which takes more time)? This won’t work. Give reports in 8-10 days. Sign the files in three days or go home,” he said.

Gadkari said that water is the “most important” factor if India has to develop its economy and called for evolving a vision in that direction. He told the researchers to be open to accepting innovative models and adopt successful and cost effective ones from across the world. Gadkari also batted for finding out area-specific solutions to water issues and called for following an integrated approach.

Union Ministers Uma Bharti, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Satya Pal Singh and Ministry Secretary U P Singh also attended the event. Speaking at the event, Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti laid emphasis on spreading awareness among people on saving water.

The conference is expected to take stock of present status and challenges of groundwater management in the country under the changing water use and climatic scenarios. Delegates from 15 countries are expected to participate in the conference and 250 research papers will be presented, including 32 keynote papers.