'Cleaning Ganga is atoning for previous governments' crimes'

Taking a jibe at the Congress over pollution of the river Ganga, Union Minister Uma Bharti on Thursday said cleaning of the holy river is atoning for the "crimes" commited by previous governments in the last 70 years.

"Pollution in Ganga is due to continuous mistakes of previous governments. Its purity for us is the atoning of crimes commited in the last 70 years. In this, they (Congress) have played a big role," Bharti, the minister for Ganga rejuvenation said in Lok Sabha.

She was responding to questions of members during question hour.

She also said that presence of dolphins and other species will enhance the purity of the river.

"Purity of Ganga water will not be tested in laboratories. Presence of dolphins, tortoises will prove it," she said.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav suggested her until polluted waters are not diverted, pollution of Ganga cannot be removed.

"Until, the drains going to the river are not diverted towards farm land, pollution can't be controlled. I have done this successfully in Kanpur. This will improve not only the farm land but also increase its potential," he said.

The union minister said she will obey the suggestions but the veteran leader should also suggest his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to find time to clear projects related to Ganga.

"The Mathura-Vrindavan project is waiting for order from the state government but Akhilesh has no time to meet. Despite my efforts, he didn't find time to meet me. The project has already delayed by three months," Bharti added.

--IANS

bns/ksk/vm