Ganga action plan may be extended to other rivers: Govt

The government is giving special attention to the rejuvenation of Ganga

The government today said that based on the outcome of the action plan on Ganga, it may extend it to other major rivers of the country.

Water Recources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti said that the government is giving special attention to rejuvenation of Ganga and consultations with various stakeholders including different ministries, academics, NGOS and technical experts are in progress.

"Crystallization of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of River Ganga.

"Based on the results of the action plan for Ganga, the government may extend the action plan in a phased manner for other major rivers of the country," Bharti said in a written reply in Lok Sabha .

The minister said that her ministry is holding consultations other ministries such as Environment, Water Recources, Urban Development, Tourism, Shipping, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development apart from deliberating with academics, technical experts and NGOs.

She said that central assistance is being provided by her ministry to states under two schemes - Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies and Flood Management Programme (FMP) during 12th Plan.

"Under the RRR scheme, a total of 3341 water bodies were taken up for restoration in 12 states, out of which 2033 water bodies have been completed till date. Under the FMP, a total of 420 workers were approved during XI Plan out of which 252 works were completed. During XII Plan, a total of 97 new workers have been approved under FMP," she said.

She said that while Rs 37.97 crore has been released to states under RRR in 2013-14, Rs 379 crore has been released under FMP in the same year period.