Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharti today said that the Inter-linking of River (ILR) programme is important for enhancing water and food security of the country. She said, this will be helpful in providing water from surplus to those where it is urgently required.<br/><br/> Chairing the eighth meeting of the special committee for inter linking of rivers in New Delhi, Ms Bharti said, government is committed to implementation of ILR programme with consensus and cooperation of the concerned states. Ms Bharti said her ministry has already identified 14 links under Himalayan Rivers component and 16 links under Peninsular Rivers component for inter basin transfer of water based on field surveys and investigation and detailed studies.<br/><br/>Giving an update about Ken-Betwa link project, the minister informed that various clearances in respect of Ken-Betwa link project Phase-I are in the advanced stage of processing. Ms Bharti said that she has spoken to the Environment minister Prakash Javadekar in this regard and is hopeful of getting the necessary clearance very soon. The Minister said the issue of water sharing between Gujarat and Maharashtra in respect of Damanganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada link projects is being taken up on priority.