Over Rs 5,800 crore sanctioned for cleaning 34 polluted rivers: Environment Ministry
New Delhi: Over Rs 5,800 crore has been sanctioned for pollution abatement at 34 river stretches in 16 states across the country, excluding River Ganga, the Environment Ministry has said.
Out of the total of Rs 5,870 crore sanctioned under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), the Centre has released its share of Rs 2,522 crore to states, Minister of State for Environment Babul Supriyo recently told the Lok Sabha.
Project proposals are received from states from time to time for taking up pollution abatement works in town along various rivers and are considered for financial assistance under the NRCP.
NRCP has covered polluted stretches of 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 states at a sanctioned cost of Rs 5870.55 crore, the MoS said while responding to a query in this regard.
In the last one year, Rs 143 crore has been released to nine states for pollution abatement in rivers under NRCP, the minister said.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards, monitors the water quality of rivers on a regular basis.
351 stretches of polluted rivers have been identified by the apex pollution body.
On another question on lakes and wetlands conservation, the ministry said it has released Rs 181 crores to 20 states for pollution abatement in lakes and wetlands in last three years, with Rs 1.58 crore being released in the current financial year so far.
The Environment Ministry is currently implementing a centrally sponsored scheme named National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems(NPCA) under which 180 wetlands including lakes have been prioritised for conservation and management, the minister said.
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Viral song for Kageri kicks off debate on sidelining OBC voters in Uttar Kannada
A viral song in Classical mode soliciting votes for BJP Candidate in Uttar Kannada constituency Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has kicked off a controversy for asking the Brahmin community to vote in unity for the ‘Brahmin candidate’. Supporters of incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde have criticized the song and it has worsened the already tarnished image of Kageri for Brahmin favouritism.
The song of 3.52 minutes duration, sung by a female artiste, has been made viral by Kageri’s supporters in Uttar Kannada through hundreds of WhatsApp groups. The song begins with the line “yochisi mata hakavu, brahmanarella BJP ashtaravu” and urges the listeners to make the ‘Brahmin candidate’ win with majority. Supporters of incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde were infuriated as the song went viral and openly questioned Kageri if he didn’t need any OBC votes.
There is a direct competition in Uttar Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, this time, between BJP’s Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri who comes from the Brahmin community and Congress’ Dr Anjali Nimbalkar who is from the OBC Maratha group.
Incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde hasn’t yet participated in any election campaigns for Kageri, neither has he given any statement in the new candidate’s favour. A group of Hegde supporters is working in favour of Dr Anjali, while another group has decided to stay neutral in the elections. Social media has seen a surge in opposition to Kageri due to the song and netizens have commented that Kageri won’t be even a panchayat member, if he is only voted by the Brahmins, reports state.
