(a) whether the Union Government plays a prominent role in ensuring implementation of directions related to pollution control in polluted areas of the rivers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of action taken on the letters received from public representatives regarding pollution in the rivers; and
(d) the amount of funds spent for checking/controlling pollution in rivers during the last three years?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) Rivers in the country are mainly polluted due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents. As per the report published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in February 2015, 302 polluted river stretches have been identified on 275 rivers based on Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, a key indicator of organic pollution.
It is the responsibility of the State Governments/concerned local bodies to set-up proper facilities for collection, transportation & treatment of sewage generated for abatement of pollution of rivers. CPCB has issued directions under Section 18 1(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 in April, 2015 to all the State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees in the country, for setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in their respective States. CPCB has also issued directions in October, 2015 to municipal authorities of 184 towns (66 metropolitan cities and State capitals + 118 towns along river Ganga) under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to ensure proper treatment and disposal of sewage generated for abatement of pollution of rivers.
Besides, the Central Government has revised the discharge standards for STPs in October 2017, which have been made more stringent and now also includes fecal coliform as one of the parameters.
To control discharge of industrial effluents, the CPCB and respective State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees monitor industries with respect to effluents discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
(c) This Ministry receives letters from time to time from various public representatives in the form of suggestions for providing financial assistance to the States for taking up pollution abatement works in towns along various rivers in the country. The proposals received in this regard from the States are considered for financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) subject to their conformity with guidelines, pollution status, prioritization, appraisal by independent institutions and availability of plan funds. With regards to letters received from public representatives for control of industrial pollution, the matter is examined by the CPCB/State Pollution Control Boards for taking action as per the relevant environmental laws.
(d) This Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under the scheme of NRCP, on cost sharing basis between the Central & State Governments. During the last three years and current financial year (till date), Rs.377.29 crore has been released to various State Governments for implementation of sanctioned works under the NRCP.
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