Netam raises river pollution issue in RS
| Date :02-Jul-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
RAIPUR
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) SC Cell National President and Rajya Sabha Member from Chhattisgarh Ramvichar Netam raised the serious issue of pollution in river pollution in Chhattisgarh during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha. Raising the issue, Netam asked what steps are being taken by the Government towards controlling pollution in five main rivers in Chhattisgarh which include Mahanadi, Kharun, Hansdeo, Kelo and Sheonath after Central Pollution Control Board has declared these rivers as highly polluted. He also asked as to what steps are being taken by the State Government in this direction and how much amount has been spent by it till date in this direction.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Babul Supriyo in his written reply stated that the Central Pollution Control Board is regularly monitoring the situation with the help of State Pollution Control Board and as per the report of Central Pollution Control Board, the portions of River Hansdeo (Korba to Urg), River Kharun (Bundri to Raipur), River Mahanadi (Arang to Sihawa), River Sheonath (Simga to Bemta) and River Kelo (Raigarh to Kankatora) has been considered under Biochemical oxygen demand area which is a chief indicator of bio-pollution.
The MoS in his reply further added that the Ministry also carries out valuation of river pollution level through independent agencies and provides financial assistance for cleaning of rivers under National River Conservation Plan. However, no requests for financial assistance have been made yet by the Chhattisgarh government under the Plan as of now, the MoS replied.