Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday pulled up the country’s research institutions saying they will be “closed” if they do not perform and warning their officials that merely “writing books and publishing research papers” would not suffice.
He was addressing the seventh ‘International Ground Water Conference’, organised by the National Institute of Hydrology (Roorkee) and Central Ground Water Board along with Association of Global Groundwater Scientists and Texas A&M University, USA.
“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.
He said outcome of such conferences should be visible on the ground, benefiting common man, particularly farmers. “Two-two years are spent on preparing DPR (detailed project reports). What kind of study is required in that (which takes more time)IJ This won’t work. Give reports in 8-10 days. Sign the files in three days or go home,” he said.
He told the researchers to be open to accepting innovative models and adopt successful and cost effective ones from across the world.
The Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Minister also 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 economy”. Gadkari talked against a vision that is laced with “differences, debates and mere discussions”.
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 Satypal Singh and Ministry Secretary UP Singh also attended the event.