NGT questions UP on potable water to villages

Provide potable water to villages: NGT asks UP government 

The National Green Tribunal has slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for failing to provide potable water to villages along the Hindon and Krishna rivers. The Tribunal has also constituted a committee and has directed authorities to ascertain provision of safe drinking water to these villages within three days of the order. Nearly 354 villages across Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Shamli and Ghaziabad districts are affected by the presence of chromium, cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic in the drinking water in handpumps. 

Piped water supply schemes in Bihar

The Bihar government has inaugurated a total of 340 water supply scheme worth Rs 215.46 crore, under the Saat Nischay programme. Out of the 340 schemes, 265 are solar energy-run mini piped water supply schemes installed in 257 panchayats of 31 districts and will benefit 30,000 families. The rest 75 are the rural piped supply schemes installed by the public health engineering department and will provide potable water to 3976 families across 20 districts through taps.

No green nod to NTPC's super thermal project in MP

The environment ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has deferred its decision on granting green clearance to NTPC’s 2640 MW Barethi Super Thermal Power Project in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. Owing to the close proximity of the project to Panna Tiger Reserve and the contiguous forest, NTPC has been asked to get clearance from the National Board for Wildlife. The EAC has also pointed out the project’s impact on the Ken river as its water requirements will be met by the dams that are fed by the river. The NTPC has contended that there would be no impact on the river. 

Government orders probe into Maheshwar hydel project on Narmada river

The ministry of corporate affairs has ordered an enquiry into the 400 MW Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corp project on the Narmada river. There are charges of misappropriation of funds for the project and both the promoter and the lender of the project are blaming each other for this. The project, that was conceived in 1993, was stuck due to Narmada agitations, then restructuring of promoter group and environmental restrictions. Now the enquiry will further delay the project. 

Immerse only idols made of natural materials during festivals: Chattisgarh government

Taking note of the increasing pollution in rivers, the Chhattisgarh environment board has directed the authorities to ensure that only the idols made of natural soil and plants are immersed during the upcoming festivals of Navaratri and Ganesh Utsav. Along with this, the board has also fixed the size of the idols to five feet. The board has also ordered to segregate the worshipping materials, including flowers, clothes and decorative items made of plastic.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from July 17 - 23, 2016. Also read last week's news roundup.