Jaitley appeals for contribution to Namami Gange scheme

He speaking after receiving a cheque of Rs 100 crore from Mata Amritanandamayi for construction of toilets under the Swacch Bharat programme.

Stressing the need to preserve River Ganga which symbolises the country’s culture and heritage, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today made a fervent plea to Indians across the world to contribute to the Namami Ganga and Swacch Bharat campaigns of the Centre.

“Ganga is not merely a symbol of religion. It is a symbol of holiness, culture and geography and most importantly it is one of the most powerful instruments of our economy”, Jaitley said.

He speaking after receiving a cheque of Rs 100 crore from Mata Amritanandamayi for construction of toilets under the Swacch Bharat programme. Another Rs 100 crore would be given by the mutt for the programme later this month.

Ganga influences 40 per cent of Indians who live in the area around it, he said.

“We depend so much on the Ganga, being so devoted to it, but yet are careless in preserving the river, particularly in the area from Kanpur to Varanasi where industrial and household pollutants, all untreated, get into the holy river damaging the ecology, environment and the river itself,” he said.

Lauding Mata Amritanandamayi (better known as Amma) for her contribution, Jaitley said, “It will send a message across the world that those committed to the cause should contribute.”

“It is not merely government contributions that will go from the budget, this is one campaign which has become much more than governmental campaign,” he said.

“We have spent thousands of crores, but not much result has come. The government has therefore launched a mission mode Namami Gange programme and is determined to clean the Ganga in 2-3 years time,” he said.