HC direction to UP govt over Ganga pollution

Allahabad, Mar 20 (UNI) Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to constitute an expert committee, if not already constituted, for keeping river Ganga pollution-free in the state.

The court also directed that the entire material from different departments, concerning Ganga pollution be placed before the expert committee, which after having studied the same, may submit the report to this court.

Passing this order, a division bench comprising Justices B S Chauhan and Ashok Bhushan asked the state government to explain as to what action be taken to ensure the compliance of the directions issued by the court from time-to-time.

The state government has been asked to submit its opinion as to what extent the state government is willing to amend the municipal laws for cleaning rivers.

The judges said the suggestions filed by A K Gupta, counsel for the petitioner, be also placed before the said expert committee for its examination.

The order was passed on a PIL, filed by Swami Harichaitanya Brahmchari of Allahabad, seeking to make river Ganga pollution free and also release of adequate water.

The judges have also asked the Additional Solicitor General of India to submit the policies of the centre for the purpose of water harvesting, water conservation, aforestation, water recycling and the developments, which have already taken place in Ganga Action Plan (GAP) phase II. The court will hear the case on April 27.

UNI