Lok Sabha Question No. 4247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-11
Subject: Ganga Task Force
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4247

ANSWERED ON 11.08.2016

## GANGA TASK FORCE

## 4247. SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

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

(a) whether the Government has decided to raise a Ganga Task Force for monitoring pollution through ex-servicemen living along the river Ganga;

(b) if so, the details and the current status thereof and the expected timeframe by which the force is likely to begin functioning;

(c) the operational details of the force such as the criteria for selection, scale of remuneration, area of functioning etc; and

(d) the allocation and utilisation of funds made for creation of the force during the current year, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(DR.SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) Yes,  Madam. Raising of 4 Battalions  of  Composite Eco  Task  force  named  as Ganga  Task  Force  has been approved in principle by Ministry of Defence vide letter dated 12 th December 2014. Ganga Task Force has also been kept  as  an  activity  under  Public  Participation  component  in  the  Cabinet  approval  of  Namami  Gange  program.  In principle approval of MoWR, RD & GR for raising of one battalion (ex-servicemen) for NMCG has been sent to the MoD on 3 rd March 2016. MoD has submitted a proposal vide letter dated 22 nd April 2016.

(b) One regular battalion of Territorial Army has reported in Allahabad in July 2015. Ganga Task Force is being trained for  i) plantation of trees on the banks of river Ganga, ii) strengthening of pollution monitoring mechanism on ground,  iii)  management  of  public  awareness  and  participation  programmes,  and  (iv)  monitoring  of  Ghats  for  the ongoing works. They have participated in various consultative /discussion meetings.  Participation in awareness and plantation activities at selected towns has also been carried out.

(c) As informed by MOD, the organization structure proposed for raising of four CETF Battalions (TA) for NMCG is based on the existing model of Ecological Task Force Battalions (TA). The details are as below:

(i) Criteria  for  Selection:  Apart  from  the  nucleus  staff  comprising  of  Regular  &  Territorial  Army  personnel, recruitment is proposed to be carried out from the pension holders, and medical category SHAPE-1 Ex-servicemen (Regular Army and Territorial Army) only, on an all India basis.

(ii) The terms and conditions: The  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  personnel  recruited  in  the  proposed CETF Battalions (TA) will be governed by the provisions laid down in Territorial Army Act and Territorial Army Regulations 1948, (Revised 1976).

(iii) Age  Limit:      There  is  no  minimum  age  for  recruitment.  However,  the  Ex-servicemen  would  serve  upto maximum 55 years of age only.

(iv) Remuneration:  The remuneration of the personnel will be commensurate to the rank held by the individuals and as applicable to Armed Forces personnel.

(v) Area of Functioning: The locations for proposed four CETF Battalions (TA) for NMCG, will be earmarked by NMCG in consultation with Ministry of Defence and Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army),

(d) Allocation of Rs. 40 Crore has been made in demand- for- grant for the FY 2016-17 by NMCG. However, Letter  of  Commitment  has  been  issued  to  Ministry  of  Defence  for  one  Battalion  for  amount  Rs.25.28  Cr  as  an expenditure for one year of the battalion on 8 th July 2015.

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