Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has deputed a senior official from his office to meet Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, to discuss further measures that could be taken for early resolution of issues raised by the Ganga Seva Abhiyanam. The Swami is on a hunger strike to save the Ganga.
In a statement issued here on Friday, the Prime Minister's Office said the government was committed to improving the ecological health of the river, to make sure that there is continuous and pollution-free flow of water.
The measures come ahead of the Mahakumbh scheduled to be held in Allahabad in January, 2013.
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Spelling out the steps taken to preserve the Ganga, the statement said the Centre has already decided to stop works on the Pala Maneri, Bhaironghati, and Lohari Nag Pala hydroelectric projects along the Bhagirathi. The process of declaring the stretch from Gaumukh to Uttar Kashi on the river Bhagirathi as an eco-sensitive zone has also been initiated.
The Prime Minister has directed the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Group under the chairmanship of Member, Planning Commission, for early completion of the Ganga River Basin Management Plan.