Apply new strategy for cleaning rivers: CSE
On World Environment Day, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has released its environement agenda for the new government. The agenda calls for giving equal importance to every Indian river and not just the Ganga. It has also urged the government to change its river cleaning strategy as the installation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) has not helped clean them up. The agenda has also provided recommendations on clean air, forest rights, reiventing clearance process, rural development and tapping renewable energy.
Bihar to supply sanitary napkins to school girls
The Bihar government has finally launched the Rs. 220 crore scheme for providing free sanitary napkins to girls in middle and high schools for a year. The scheme, starting next academic semester, aims to reduce the number of female students dropping out from schools. The Centre is also planning to initiate such schemes for rural India in August this year.
ACB submits report on Rs. 400 crore fisheries scam
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Report has found Purushottam Solanki, former Port and Fisheries Minister, guilty of alloting contracts of nearly 58 reservoirs in Gujarat to his favourites parties without inviting tenders. Estimates say that the scam has lead to a Rs 400 crore loss to the government in the past 10 years. Former Agriculture Minister Dileep Sanghani might also be involved in the scam along with Solanki, says the report.
NGT cancels green nod to Kerala's Aranmula International Airport project
The National Green Tribunal has cancelled the environment clearance of the proposed Aranmula International Airport project in Kerala, worth Rs. 2000 crore. The Tribunal has stated that the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has ignored the impacts of converting 500 acres of paddy fields and wetlands on groundwater sources and streams. Also, the Report has no mention of noise pollution, emission of hydrocarbons and displacement of people.
Centre holds four ministries responsible for Ganga's renewal
The Centre is to appoint a Committee from four Ministries that will prepare an action plan for the Ganga clean-up. The inter-ministerial panel will include Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Ministry, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry, Environment Ministry and Tourism Ministry. Along with this government is also planning a national waterway grid worth Rs. 25,000 crore, that will link the Ganga, Brahmputra, Mahanadi and Godavari rivers.
This is a weekly roundup of policy matters from June 2-8, 2014. Also read last week's news roundup.