Conflict between India and Pakistan over Indus Water Treaty continues
Following prime minister Narendra Modi’s remark that the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his hope that the two countries will bilaterally solve the water-sharing issues between them. However, Pakistan has reminded India of its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and has warned the latter of the consequences of any violations to it.
Mula-Mutha river restoration project gets go ahead
The Maharashtra government has approved the Mula-Mutha river restoration project that is worth Rs 990 crore. The project that aims to treat Pune's sewage and restrict its direct discharge into the rivers, is considered to be the biggest sewage treatment and river restoration project sanctioned under the National River Conservation Plan. Centre will be funding 85 percent of the project work and it has also been clarified that any expenditure over and above that is mentioned in the proposal will be borne by the civic body.
Audit all centrally-funded schemes under Ganga rejuvenation: HC
Taking note of alleged irregularities in the use of funds for Ganga clean-up, the Uttarakhand high court has ordered the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to take up a special audit of all the centrally-financed schemes launched for the revival of the Ganga river along with the amount of expenditure done by the state government in this regard. The court has also ordered to submit the CAG report to the president within six months. The high court has also directed the Centre to constitute an inter-state council for all the riparian states through which the Ganga river flows.
NGT orders NIH, CWC to oversee demarcation of Yamuna floodplains
The National Green Tribunal has directed the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee and Central Water Commission to oversee re-identification and demarcation of Yamuna floodplain in Agra. The demarcation will be done keeping in mind the flood situation in the past 25 years in the city and the exercise shall be completed within three weeks from the order. The two agencies would also help the Agra authorities in fixing the pillars in Yamuna and in specifying the distances of the infrastructure projects from the floodplain.
Karnataka seeks PM's intervention to resolve Mahadayi dispute
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has adopted a unanimous resolution seeking prime minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to resolve the inter-state dispute over sharing of the Mahadayi river waters. According to the resolution, the prime minister should hold a meeting of the chief ministers of riparian states of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka to discuss the diversion of Mahadayi water to Malaprabha by Karnataka.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from November 28 - December 3, 2016. Also, read news this week.