New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS): Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti will inaugurate a national conference on optimal use of water resources - Jal Manthan - here Nov 20.

About 300 experts are expected to attend the conference.

"The focus will be on refining policies of the ministry to make them more people friendly and responsive to the needs of the states," an official statement said.

The first day of the conference will be for deliberations on three flagship schemes of the union government - Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies and Flood Management Programme.

The programme will have participation from concerned ministers and principal secretaries from the state governments.

The second day will be devoted to issues related to inter-linking of rivers in the country.

On the third day, deliberations on broader issues of water conservation and management with civil societies and NGSos will be held.