NEW DELHI: The Government has spent over Rs 7,000 crore in two years to cleanse the Ganga which still remains a “serious enviromental issue”, the National Green Tribunal said today as it issued a slew of directives including banning all construction activity within 100 metres of the river edge.
In a detailed judgement, the tribunal also prohibited dumping of waste within 500 metres from the river, ordering that every offender would be liable to pay a penalty of Rs 50,000 per default.
“There are considerable unutilised funds as of today, besides the huge funds that have been made available under the national project as declared by the Prime Minister wherein Rs 20,000 crore have been allocated for the five years commencing 2015-2020.
“Even after spending Rs 7304.64 crores upto March, 2017, by the Central Government, State Government and local authorities of the State of UP, the status of river Ganga has not improved in terms of quality or otherwise and it continues to be a serious environmental issue,” the NGT said. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
