Water is a national issue, above political affiliations: Jal Shakti Minister

India has more than 5,100 dams, another 400 are being built, we are the third largest dam owning country in the world, after US and China, says Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in an interview to Hindustan Times.

The focus of the new ministry of Jal Shakti will be on awareness, technical support and handholding, Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, explaining that because water is a state subject, this approach is necessary. At the same time, there are subjects not mentioned in the Constitution related to water where the Centre has the right to pass laws, he added in an interview to Sunetra Choudhury. Edited excerpts. [Readmore]