PM not happy with status of Ganga Action Plan

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said some progress had been made in the Ganga Action Plan (GAP), but it was not up to the desired level.

''There has been some improvement in the Ganga Action Plan, but I will be the last person to be happy with the status of the implementation of the plan,'' Dr Singh said, making an intervention during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

He said pollution of the country's river system is a matter of serious concern but also pointed out that 'water' is a state subject and the problem of pollution has to be tackled by both the central and state governments in a concerted manner.

Dr Singh also asured all possible help to the state governments in dealing with the problem of river pollution.

The issue triggered noisy scenes and full-throated protests from members of the NDA, Left parties and the Samajwadi Party, who were far from happy from the reply of Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narayan Meena on the issue.

As the din continued with the members seeking a categorical reply to the main question as well as a string of supplementaries, the Prime Minister came to the rescue of his beleaguered Cabinet colleague by making his observation.

So incensed was BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi over the Minister's reply that he joined the issue with Chairman Hamid Ansari.

''You don't allow me to raise a question or ask a supplementary.

You don't even allow me to make a demand for allowing half-an-hor discussion on the issue, which is of utmost national importance,'' Dr Joshi argued with the Chair.

This was met with stout resistance from some members of the treasury benches.

Mr Ansari said it was always open to the members of the House to make a demand for a discussion on an issue by giving a prior notice. ''Once I receive a notice, I will allow a discussion on the issue, but it cannot be held during Question Hour as every starred question is an important one.'' MORE UNI SKS Mir BD1248