Lok Sabha Question No. 2423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-16
Subject: Ganga River Basin Management Plan 2015
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: HEMAMALINI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2423

ANSWERED ON 16.03.2017

## GANGA RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN 2015

## 2423.   SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has examined the recommendations of the report on Ganga River Basin Management Plan, 2015 submitted by the consortium of Indian Institutes of Technology and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon;

(b) the quantum of funds spent on cleaning of Ganga river during each of the last three years and the current year including financial assistance received from other countries;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  regarding  misutilization  of  the  said funds and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken in the matter so far; and

(d)  the  details  of  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  cleaning  of  Ganga  river  in  a stipulated time period?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a) Yes.  The  report  of  the  IIT  consortium  on  Ganga  River  Basin  Management  Plan (GRBMP)  has  since  been  accepted  by  the  Govt.  of  India.  Based  on  the  report  of  the  IIT consortium, 7 Agenda points and 21 Action points have been identified for the rejuvenation of the river Ganga and its tributaries.

(b) The quantum of the funds released to the states and CPSUs in the last three years and the current years (till 28/2/2017) are given below :

| Year                          |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |   Grand Total |
|-------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------------|
| Funds released (Rs. in crore) |     266.2 |    170.99 |     602.6 |    756.01 |        1795.8 |

(c) No, Madam.

(d) Under  Namami  Gange  programme,  till  31 st January  2017,  143  projects  have  been sanctioned  (including  the  existing  projects  sanctioned  under  NGRBA  Programme)  at  an estimated project cost of Rs. 10,485.62 Crores.

In order to ensure timely implementation of these projects following steps are taken:

· Bottlenecks which delay the project implementation are being sorted out with increased co-ordination with the state governments and their agencies.

· Project Management Consultants/supervision consultants are appointed at  project level for effective monitoring and supervision of projects;

· Monthly progress report and Quarterly reporting of project progress are ensured

· Further, cabinet has approved 'The River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management)  Authorities  Order,  2016'  which  lays  down  a  new  institutional  structure  from national level to district level for policy making and implementation in fast track manner. It also empowers National Mission for Clean Ganga to discharge its functions in an independent and accountable manner through an order under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 (29 of 1986). This order has empowered NMCG to approve the projects uptoRs. 1,000 crore in each case.

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