Apex court seeks draft on Cauvery management scheme by May 3
The apex court has reprimanded the Centre for failing to implement its verdict on the Cauvery water sharing dispute and for missing the deadline to file a draft of the Cauvery management scheme. The court has asked the Centre to submit a draft of the planned water sharing among the three southern states and Puducherry. The Centre has requested a three-month extension for formulating the draft policy as the Karnataka Assembly elections are set to take place on May 12.
Haryana for water ATM policy to provide clean drinking water at public places
A proposal to provide clean drinking water at public places by setting up water ATMs has been approved by Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Soon after this policy gets notified, Haryana cities can expect to have water ATMs every 400 metres. Municipalities will be in charge of identifying public places to install the machines. They have also been tasked with ensuring the efficient functioning of these ATMs by appointing agencies to take care of the day-to-day functioning.
To control pollution, water supply to be cut by 25 percent to all industrial units in Taloja
Following orders from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation has cut 25 percent of the water supplied to the Taloja industrial units in Taloja. This was the result of chronic non-performance of the local common effluent treatment plant, releasing untreated, toxic effluents into water bodies. The CETP in Taloja is the worst polluting unit among 25 others in the state.
NGT issues show cause notice to the UP government regarding release of untreated sewage into Ganga
The National Green Tribunal has asked the Uttar Pradesh government why it should not be directed to pay environmental compensation and be prosecuted for non-compliance of directions issued by the body regarding curtailing pollution in the Ganga. The NGT had earlier issued show cause notices to the state pollution control board and the civic bodies for not preparing action plans to clean the river in a time-bound manner.
Rs 19.2 crore boost for mangrove and marine biodiversity conservation in Maharashtra
With the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation of Maharashtra setting aside a budget of Rs 19.2 crore for 2018-19, marine conservation in the state is expected to receive a major boost. Turtle and marine rescue centres along the Juhu beach in Mumbai, Alibaug and Dahanu will be set up along with mangrove parks in Dahisar and Gorai. Mangroves are found along 304 sq km of the Maharashtra coastline, covering 53 creeks and seashores.
This is a roundup of important policy matters published between April 3 and 9, 2018. Also, read the news this week.