Centre approves cleaning of rivers in punjab

As a part of the comprehensive plan to clean up rivers in Punjab, Union Minister of Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh has given in-principle approval to the Punjab government to start work in the five towns of Phillaur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Banga, Phagwara and Jalandhar under the River Conservation Project on the Satluj at a cost of Rs 319.09 crore, pending formal clearance from the ministry.

A decision to this effect was taken by Ramesh in a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who called on him in New Delhi on Tuesday. The minister also directed joint secretary Rajiv Gauba to allow the state to carry out works in other 18 towns also for which the detailed project reports had already been submitted by the state government to the ministry. He asked to clear all such proposals after thorough processing positively by April 30, 2010.

Jairam Ramesh also assured the CM that the ministry would also soon clear the other pending projects amounting to Rs 640.51 crore during the current financial year. The minister deputed special secretary Khwaja to visit the ongoing projects in the state to monitor the progress.

Jairam Ramesh directed secretary, environment Vijay Sharma to immediately release the balance payment of Rs 13 crore out of Rs 28 crore on account of the arrears of water cess share due to Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). Sharma informed that the ministry had already made payment of Rs 15 crore to the Board during the last financial year.

The CM thanked Ramesh for fulsome support and cooperation for the implementation of River Conservation Projects on rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ghaggar and apprised him that the state was planning to use the treated waste water from these towns for irrigation purpose through a dedicated network. He pointed out that the state government had already started works in 14 towns amounting to Rs 781.96 crore with its own funds.

The CM was accompanied by principal secretary DS Guru, special principal secretary KJS Cheema and PCCB chairman Rajat Aggarwal.