New Delhi : , Nov 21, 2017 – The Centre released Rs 10,000 crore and additional funds to the National Mission for Clean Ganga.Since 2014, the NMCG spent Rs 730 million on the construction of ghats. According to a response to a Right to Information (RTI), the National Mission for Clean Ganga has stated that no money has been used from the Clean Ganga Fund’ for sewage treatment plants.
The reply stated that out of the Rs 10.942.02 money released to the NMCG it had spent Rs 10.649.40.
This includes the Clean Ganga Fund, which has spent in situ bio-remediation on treatment of drainage to treat Rs 161,91 909, Rs 731.31 million by NMCG for ghat maintenance and construction, and Rs 107.59 billion on media outreach and media from 2014 through September 2021.
Vikrant Tongad is an environment conservationist and founder of Social Action for Forest and Environment.
He had submitted the RTI query and stated that the Clean Ganga Fund should be used to clean the river and not for peripheral activities.Ghats have a spiritual significance for people, and they help to manage the riverfront.
These can also be paid for from outside sources.
He also pointed out the fact that more people will reach the riverfronts through ghats.
The activist warned that while ghat maintenance was important in light of solid waste management, it is more crucial to warn people against using detergents or soaps for their baths.
RTI replied, “No funds were released from the CLEAN Ganga Fund on STP constructions or maintenance since 2014.”
A Ministry official said that all infrastructure developments, including large-ticket expenditures like STPs, are under the Externally Aided Projects head.Other purposes are being served by the Clean Ganga Fund.
Statistics from the Ministry show that it spent Rs 9.172.57 crore on October 31st, compared to the Rs 24,249.48 crore sanctioned for “Sewarage Infrastructure”.According to government data, there are 157 projects, 70 of which are complete.
niv/pgh
#response #maintenance #ghats #Ganga #Delhi
.
