No role of Water ministry in Art of Living event: Uma

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti on Wednesday said her ministry had "no role" in granting permission to the World Culture Festival event being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-led Art of Living Foundation.

“I want to make it very clear that my ministry has no role in giving or cancelling the permission," Bharti told reporters here, adding, however, that as a social activist and political leader she extends her full support to the festival.

Extending her best wishes for the "success" of the mega event that has run into controversy over allegations of violation of environment rules, Bharti hoped the programme would bring Yamuna into focus and make people more sensitive to the needs of keeping this river clean.

The minister expressed the hope that organisers of the event were responsible enough to follow the environment related stipulations. - IANS