Seeking to use different arms of the government in pursuing the gigantic task of Ganga cleaning, the Union water resources ministry has signed a joint MoU with seven ministries to carry forward multi-sectoral activities for a minimum of three years to rejuvenate the river.
Under the MoU, the HRD ministry will facilitate IITs to develop and undertake pilot projects for zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems for four types of industrial pollution covering tanneries, chemical, pharma and textile industries. The ministry of Ayush will take up promotion of medicinal plants in the Ganga catchment areas and the ministry of youth affairs will involve sports persons in forming groups of youth who can take up activities related to Ganga cleaning.
Ministries of shipping, tourism, drinking water and rural development are also part of the joint MoU that will take up various Ganga cleaning activities under the Namami Gange programme which was allocated Rs.20,000 crore by the Centre for five years (2015-2020).
Besides this latest joint step taken last week, the water resources ministry had earlier signed MoU with ministry of railways in which both parties agreed to supply and use treated waste water from the sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs) located in Ganga and Yamuna river zones for non-potable purpose of railways.
Under the joint MoU, the water resources ministry will continue to work as a nodal ministry to coordinate with various implementing agencies and state governments. The HRD ministry , on the other hand, will support it in spreading necessary awareness to common masses .
The HRD ministry will also prepare preliminary project reports on the Ganga River Basin Management Plan.
The ministry of drinking water and sanitation will prioritise initiatives in establishing open defecation free (ODF) `gram panchayats` along the banks of Ganga.
All the participating ministries will designate a senior officer of the rank of joint secretary or above to act as a nodal officer to represent the ministry and steer the fullfilment of the objectives.
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