Ganga pollution: Lack of coordination between Govt Depts causing confusion before court: HC

Box On KV Project added
Prayagraj: Expressing concern over non-cooperation among different departments of the state in the matter of Ganga pollution, which is causing a lot of confusion before the court, a three-judge Bench of Allahabad High Court has asked the UP chief secretary to examine the said aspect and issue required directions to obviate the confusion and to have effective representation of the stand of the government before the court.
Hearing a matter relating to Ganga pollution, a three-judge bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ajit Kumar said, “We notice that different departments, nodal and executing agencies are represented through different counsels and amongst whom there is no coordination, resulting in a lot of confusion. If the additional advocate general is representing the state, we expect that he should have full instructions, at least in respect of all matters falling under the purview of state government or its instrumentalities.”
Regarding purity of Ganga water, the court observed that “the report from IIT, Kanpur is still awaited and we have been informed that there is a request for some more time being granted to enable it to complete the tests and submit the desired report”.
“We accept the request and permit submission of the report in sealed cover through the registrar general of this court by the next date,” the court added while fixing December 6, 2021 for further hearing of the matter.
“The other two reports from Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and IIT, BHU shall remain in sealed cover and shall be opened on the next date along with the report of IIT, Kanpur,” the court further added.
The court was not satisfied with the approach of Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj regarding cremation on the bank of river Ganga and said, “We do not appreciate the mindset with which the Nagar Nigam is handling the issue. No doubt, on account of religious beliefs, few people avail the services of electric crematoriums, but we feel that if proper facilities are provided at the electric crematoriums and people are educated and made aware of the advantages and disadvantages of use of electric crematoriums, more and more people will be attracted to avail the facilities. It is high time when the Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj should give up its old mindset and take immediate steps for improving the infrastructure of the two electric crematoriums and launch campaign for spreading awareness amongst general public in respect of the advantages in availing the services of electric crematoriums.”
In this backdrop, the court in its order dated November 12 directed the additional chief secretary, Nagar Vikas, UP to examine the matter and place before this court its plan in respect of improvement of the infrastructure of the two electric crematoriums and the time frame within which it will be implemented.
On the question of ban on use of plastic the commissioner, Prayagraj division has filed his affidavit annexing therewith order dated November 8, 2021, whereby a committee comprising ADM city, Prayagraj, additional municipal commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj and superintendent of police (City), Prayagraj has been formed to oversee the implementation of the ban on plastic carry bags in pursuance of government order (GO) dated July 15, 2018.
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The Allahabad High Court has issued notices to Sri Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Authority and has asked the Authority to file its affidavit through its chief executive officer (CEO) giving details of the schemes and all constructions which are proposed or are underway in and around the river Gange in Varanasi district.
The court passed this order after the vice-chairman, Varanasi Development Authority (VDA), filed an affidavit stating that the regulation of construction in or along the bed of the river Ganga in Varanasi district is now being regulated in accordance with the provisions of Sri Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board Varanasi Act, 2018 and is outside the purview of the regulated area falling under the Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.