Response to the Final Report:

Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources

1 February 2001

Letter No.2/WCD/2001/DT (PR) Vol.-III
Government of India, Ministry of Water Resources
4th Floor, Shram Shakti Bhawan,
Rafi Marg, New Delhi -110001

Dear Mr. Achim Steiner,

This has a reference to the World Commission on Dams Final Report - " Dams & Development - A New Framework for Decision making" launched on 16th November 2000 at London, a copy of which was made available to the Ministry. The WCD had earlier commissioned Consultants in India to prepare the " India Country Report". As the Consultants were reluctant to amend the draft Report accommodating our comments, the Government of India vide its letter WCD/CE Designs (N&W)/2000 dated 9th October 2000 addressed to you had out rightly rejected the draft India Country Report. On a detailed perusal of the Final Report it is seen that WCD has leaned heavily on the Consultants Country Report, totally ignoring Government's views on the report and the data on the successful projects in India furnished by us to WCD. The references relating to India in the Report are not based on factual and authentic information.

I may add that Government of India has adopted a National Water Policy and guidelines on the various facets of water resources development. These guidelines have been framed keeping in view the socio-economic ethos of the country. The guidelines for development now suggested by WCD in their Final report are wholly incompatible with our development imperatives. Having made impressive strides since independence in developing our water resources, India proposes to continue with its programme of dam construction to create another 200 Billion Cu. Metres of storage in the next 25 years or so to ensure continued self-sufficiency in food grain production and to meet the energy and drinking water needs of a growing population.

In view of the above, the recommendations and guidelines of the WCD are not acceptable to us.

Yours sincerely,

A SEKHAR
Commissioner (PR)