Rs. 20,000 crore sanctioned for Ganga clean-up

Centre okays Rs 20,000 crore for the 'Namami Gange' programme

Under the 'Namami Gange' programme, the Centre has approved Rs 20,000 crore for Ganga rejuvenation in the next five years. The fund is in addition to the Rs 2,037 crore sanctioned for the Ganga revival last year. Since 1986, nearly Rs. 4,000 crore have been incurred on the clean-up of the river. The Programme aims to integrate efforts to clean and protect the Ganga in a comprehensive manner by involving states, urban local bodies and panchayats.

Government needs another expert body to review Uttarakhand dams

Unsatisfied with the recommendations of the expert panel on Uttarakhand dams, the Government has decided to appoint yet another panel to review not just the six projects in question but all the projects on the Ganga basin in Uttarakhand. In February this year, the existing panel had suggested that the implementation of the six hydel projects in Uttarakhand would be disastrous for the hill state. It is not just this time that the Government is unwilling to reject these projects outright. Two times prior to this, the Government has bought more time from the Court.

Committee defers environmental nod to Etalin hydel project in Arunachal

The Expert Appraisal Committee has once again postponed granting environmental clearance to the 3,097 MW Etalin hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh. The project proponent was unable to provide satisfactory answers to the issues raised by the Committee regarding the felling of around 2,80,000 trees and the submergence of about 119.44 hectares of area. Along with this, environmental clearance to the 74 MW Tagurshit project to be built on a tributary of the Siyom river, was also deferred by the Committee.

CPCB orders units along Ganga to install real time monitoring before June 30

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has ordered the industrial units along the Ganga river to install real time monitoring before June 30, 2015. Along the main stem of the river, CPCB has identified 144 drains discharging nearly 6614 MLD (million litres per day) of sewage. Also, in order to prevent discharge of effluents into the Ganga river and its tributaries, CPCB has issued time bound directions to implement sector-wise Zero Liquid Discharge.

HC continues its ban on sand mining in Sardar Sarovar area till July 1

The Madhya Pradesh Government has extended the stay on sand mining in the Sardar Sarovar Project-affected Barwani and Dhar districts till July 1, 2015. In response to a petition filed by the Narmada Bachao Andolan, the Court had stayed sand mining in the area till May 6. However, the reason behind the extension of the ban was the collectors' failure in providing satisfactory responses to the details sought by the Court.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from May 12-17, 2015. Also read last week's news updates.