(a) whether it is true that the National Green Tribunal has asked the tanneries to comply with the orders passed by it or face closure of units located along the river Ganga;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the amount spent so far for pollution abatement of the said river and the achievements made so far?
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) and (b) The Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) vide its judgment dated 13.07.2017 in O.A. No. 200 of 2014 in the matter of M.C. Mehta versus Union of India & Ors. has given specific directions with regard to tanneries in Jajmao, Unnao and Banthar, which includes, inter alia, upgradation of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and setting up of other anti-pollution devices, upgradation of Chromium Recovery Plant, effective and proper supervision to ensure that effluent from the plants meet the prescribed discharge standards, etc. Further, the Tribunal has directed that all the industries which are operational would be permitted to operate strictly in accordance with the conditions of the Consent to Operate and that any industry which violates the prescribed parameters shall be liable to be closed down.
(c) As per information provided by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), an amount of Rs. 4,321.05 crores for pollution abatement of river Ganga and its tributaries has been released by Government so far. The NMCG implements various activities for development of River Ganga which includes, inter alia, Rehabilitation and upgradation of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) along Ganga, pollution mitigation in open drains through interception & diversion works and industrial pollution abatement in major industrial clusters, etc.
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