Centre speeds up its Clean Ganga Mission

Centre to involve public, private firms for urban sewage treatment and Ganga clean up 

Cabinet has given a go ahead to the proposal to involve private and public sector companies for urban sewage management in place of municipal agencies and urban local bodies. Under this Public Private Partnership, the Cabinet plans to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and set up a company to operationalise sewage treatment plants in all 118 towns and cities by 2018. The main objective of the SPV and the company will be to speed up the Clean Ganga Mission by planning and implementing the programme in a time-bound manner. 

Centre notifies revised standards for Common Effluent Treatment Plants to minimise water pollution

In order to minimise water pollution, the Environment Ministry has notified revised standards for Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) operating at various industrial clusters. Through the implementation of the design inlet quality, the revised standards will help in significantly improving the performance of CETPs. In addition, the revised standards have introduced the provision of soil and groundwater quality monitoring twice a year. 

NGT orders Centre not to release funds for Ganga clean up without its approval

The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Water Ministry not to release funds to the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments for cleaning the Ganga from Gomukh to Kanpur without its nod. The Tribunal has been irked by the two states that have no data regarding the sewage they are generating, which has only led to a blame game.  

Government signs loan agreement worth Rs 2,142 crore for the Neeranchal National Watershed project

The Government has signed a loan agreement with the World Bank for the Neeranchal National Watershed Project worth Rs 2,142 crore. The aim of the project is to increase the productivity of agriculture in the country, and will support the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana from 2016 to 2021. Along with this, the Government has also approved a new crop insurance scheme for farmers that promises less premium and early claim settlement.

NGT acts tough against Adani-Hazira port project

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs 25 crore on the Adani-Hazira Port Pvt Ltd (AHPPL) and its associate Hajira Infrastructure Pvt Ltd for taking up work at their Hazira-based port near Surat without acquiring a green nod. Per the Tribunal, the environment clearance for further development granted to the project in 2013 was illegal. The order has come following a petition filed by local fishermen against the project which has led to narrowing down the access of the boats of traditional fishermen.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from January 12 - 18, 2016. Also read last week's news roundup.