New Delhi, Mar 9 : Union Minister of Water Resources Saifuddin Soz on Monday expressed his condolences over the passing away of veteran Dogri writer and litterateur Prof. Ram Nath Shastri in Jammu on Sunday night.

Soz recalled the services of Professor Shastri for the revival and resurgence of Dogri language, and said that it was late writer's inspiration, which led to the tremendous growth and glory of Dogri language.

"Prof. Shastri was a father figure who has always inspired young writers and journalists", Soz added.

New Delhi, Feb 16 : Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Saifuddin Soz took oath on Monday as members of the Rajya Sabha.

While Azad, a former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister took his oath in English, Union Minister for Water Resources Soz took his in Kashmiri.

Both leaders shook hands with other members of the House after the ceremony.

Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister of India in the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh until October 27, 2005, before his appointment as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi, Jan 12 : Union Water Resources Minister Professor Saifuddin Soz today said the India is making serious efforts to address numerous challenges in water resources sector with due emphasis on the sustainability of the eco-system in the larger interests of mankind.

Inaugurating the International Conference on Water, Environment, Energy and Society (WEES-2009) here today, Soz said population growth is a contributing factor to the per capita availability of water reducing day by day.

New Delhi, Oct 7 : Union Minister for Water Resources Professor Saifuddin Soz today assured Puducherry Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam that his ministry would extend all possible assistance to the state in implementing various schemes related to water and irrigation sectors.

Prof. Soz gave this assurance to Vaithilingam when the latter apprised him of the various problems relating to water and irrigation sectors in his State.

The Chief Minister asked for the Central assistance in flood control and management scheme to tackle flood and erosion problems in the State.

Srinagar, Mar 12 : Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today said that