Yamuna pollution: Delhi Govt bans soaps and detergents not meeting latest BIS standards
To tackle pollution in the Yamuna River, the Delhi government has prohibited the sale, storage, transportation, and marketing of soaps and detergents not conforming to the latest BIS standards. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has ordered all the concerned authorities to ensure compliance to directions through strict vigil and surprise checks and submit monthly action reports of inspections conducted and subsequent action taken without fail.
Often, toxic froth is observed floating on the surface of the Yamuna river in Delhi and as per the experts and the primary reason for this is high phosphate content in the wastewater because of detergents used in dyeing industries, dhobi ghats and households. (Livemint)
UP gets biggest allocation under Jal Jeevan, despite failing to spend the previous funds
With an allocation of Rs 10,870 crore for Uttar Pradesh, the Jal Shakti Ministry announces a fourfold increase in the Jal Jeevan Mission budget to the state, making it the biggest allocation for any scheme for the state, this fiscal year.
The increased allocation has been provided to the state despite it having failed to spend 40 percent of the Rs 3,348 crore fund it had received in 2020-21 (FY21) as funds in 2019-20 too remain unspent. The central government data has revealed that the state has 26.3 million households in 97,455 villages and of these, just 11.3 percent households have tap water supply in their homes.
The target for financial year 2022 is to provide tap water to one-third of the remaining 7.8 million homes and for this, the Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has also advised the state government to begin groundwork on water supply projects in over 60,000 villages. (Business Standard)
Deep Ocean Mission gets a go-ahead
With a view to explore the deep ocean for resources and develop deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources, the centre has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences on Deep Ocean Mission, worth Rs 4,077 crore. The mission will be implemented in a phased manner and the Ministry of Earth Sciences will be the nodal ministry implementing this multi-institutional ambitious mission. The mission will study biodiversity, impact of climate change, and establish an offshore marine station to explore the source of thermal energy. The ministry has also roped in ISRO to design and develop a capsule that will dive over 6,000 metres in the Indian Ocean to look for polymetallic nodules containing copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese worth millions. (Livemint, Deccan Herald)
Water conflict between Karnataka and Maharashtra seems to get resolved
Agreeing to resolve the water sharing issues between both the states, Karnataka and Maharashtra governments have decided to conduct better coordination and communication regarding flood management and water supply, in the drought-hit regions of both states.
To manage floods, both the states have agreed to share real-time data on rainfall and water release from reservoirs in the Krishna and Bhima basins. A consensus to complete the Dudhganga dam project at the earliest has also been reached and Maharashtra has also agreed to fund it. The states have also agreed for a technical team to work towards supplying four TMC water from Maharashtra to Karnataka and in return the latter will release water to the drought hit areas of the western region in Maharashtra. (India TV)
Telangana cabinet plans several schemes to secure its due share in Krishna waters
The Telangana Cabinet has decided to take up construction of various irrigation schemes, including a barrage on Krishna river at Alampur to transfer 60-70 TMC of flood waters through a pipeline, a canal at Pulichintala project and another reservoir at Sunkesula reservoir to get its fair share of Krishna river water. The move has been taken in response to the alleged illegal projects taken up by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Telangana had earlier gone to National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court against Andhra’s 'illegal' projects but withdrew the cases in the apex court following the assurance from the Centre to take an expeditious decision on constitution of a tribunal regarding Krishna river water sharing. However, noticing no action to stop Andhra’s ‘illegal’ projects, the state has decided to carry on with these schemes to protect its share of the river water. (The Indian Express)
This is a roundup of important policy matters from June 8 - 21, 2021. Also, read news this fortnight.