New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS): Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati on Tuesday asked the public sector premier consultancy organization WAPCOS Ltd to extend its services to the government's flagship programme of 'Namami Gange'.

The programme, with a budget outlay of Rs.20,000 crore for the next five years, integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga in a comprehensive manner.

Praising the work carried out by WAPCOS in Afghanistan under adverse circumstances, Uma Bharati urged the mini ratna firm to join her ministry in the river clean-up programme with full vigour.

Earlier, WAPCOS chairman and managing director R.K. Gupta presented a dividend cheque of Rs 16.50 crore for the year 2014-2015 to the minister.

During 2014-2015, the company achieved the highest ever gross income of Rs.928.30 crore, profitability of Rs.111.05 crore and secured new business of Rs.1,375.92 crore.

The net worth of WAPCOS, under the ministry of water resources, has reached Rs.309.31 crore.

Established in 1969, the company provides consultancy services in the fields of water resources, power and infrastructure. It has several projects across India, Asia and Africa.

"WAPCOS is now planning to increase its operations in Latin America and CIS countries," the water resources ministry said in a statement.