The Hindu : Now, politicians pitch in to save Ganga

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2003

National

National

Now, politicians pitch in to save Ganga

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 11. Sadhus, sants and environmentalists have now been joined by politicians in expressing concern over the increasing pollution of the Ganga.

Demanding that cleaning of the river be taken up on a priority basis with an appropriate mechanism to deal with the problem, members of the Left Front today demanded that the Centre treat the issue as a `national problem'.

A unanimous resolution to this effect had been passed by the West Bengal Assembly urging the Centre to treat the problem on an "extremely urgent" basis and take necessary action.

"Over the past two or three decades, the entire 116-km stretch of the Ganga-Padma river system in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts has witnessed unprecedented erosion. This is a very serious problem affecting the eastern region of the country, particularly West Bengal. Huge lands have been washed away, destroying a number of villages and affecting lakhs of people,'' a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, said.

For many years, the people and the West Bengal Government have been requesting the Centre to evolve a proper anti-erosion programme and rehabilitate those displaced. Since the problem is not only of West Bengal but that of the entire nation, the Centre should earmark a separate amount for the purpose.

River erosion is certain to have an adverse impact on international affairs as well. Since the land and boundaries are changing rapidly, there is every likelihood of loss of territory to a foreign country. "If proper steps are not taken, the Farakka barrage will also be seriously damaged, affecting the water agreement between India and Bangladesh. Even the Kolkata and Haldia ports will not be spared,'' the memorandum pointed out.

The former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, several MPs and MLAs — including 10 Ministers from West Bengal — belonging to the Left parties sat on a two-hour dharna at Jantar Mantar here to highlight the problem. Later, a delegation, led by Somnath Chatterjee, MP, submitted a memorandum to Mr. Advani.

The West Bengal Government alone cannot tackle the problem, which involves an expenditure of nearly Rs. 1,000 crores. Demands have been repeatedly made to the Centre for immediate action, but only a small amount had been provided.

Except during Mr. Gowda's term as the Prime Minister, no appropriate action had been taken and enough funds not provided with, the memorandum pointed out.

Advani's assurance

Mr. Advani told the delegation that he would convene a meeting of the Ministers of Water Resources and Finance, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission to discuss the problem of pollution of Ganga and evolve a solution to overcome it.

Mr. Advani also assured that he would ensure release of more funds for cleaning Ganga and other rivers. He would hold talks with the West Bengal Chief Minister.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National