New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court Wednesday asked if the Modi government intended to complete the task of cleaning the Ganga in its present term or carry it to the next term and keep the issue alive.
The apex court also sought details on the status of various sewage treatment plants (STP) that were being set up to prevent the untreated effluent from flowing into the Ganga river.
"You want to do it (cleaning Ganga) in this term of the government or the next or keep the issue alive," the apex court bench of Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice R.K. Agrawal and Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar as it sought the verifiable road-map of the government's plan to clean the Ganga.
"What is that you are going to do that we can monitor," court asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, telling him: "We want verifiable progress, be it (over a stretch) of 100 km."
Seeking the government response in "layman's term" and not the "bureaucratic jargons", the court asked: "In regards to Uttrakhand what are the directions you have issued? What are the reports and what are the impediments?"
Seeking the status of various sewage treatment plants (STPs) which are under construction or in tendering stage, the court said, "You have already spent Rs.2,000 crore and money is not a constraint for you."
As the solicitor general told the court that 16 STPs being set up in Uttrakhand would take three years to complete, the court sought the status report on 31 STPs on which work is in progress and on 15 STPs which are in the bidding process stage.
The court also sought the copy of the report of the study being carried by a consortium of IITs on the basin management plan for cleaning the Ganga. The consortium of IITs is likely to submit its report by the month-end, Ranjit Kumar told the court.
As petitioner M.C. Mehta drew the attention of the court to the management of eco-sensitive zone of the Ganga from Gomukh to Uttarkashi, the solicitor general told the court that IIT consortium is studying this aspect as well.
Pointing to the government's affidavit of Aug 31, 2014, which said that some of the STPs were in the bidding stage, the court sought a status report on that also, and hoped that the bidding process in respect of them must have reached the allotment stage.
Seeking the status report in respect of 31 sewage treatment plants which were in ongoing stage and 15 in the bidding stage, the court said if bids have not been allotted so far, then what were the reasons for the delay.
The court gave the government six weeks' time to furnish the details sought by it.
Companies will go to court on app ban!
Some of the Chinese companies whose apps have been banned by the government are considering whether to file a writ petition in an Indian court. Two people with direct knowledge of the matter say that
ICU can be reached only after eating Golgappa: Restrictions in Nepal; If the alert is not given then its sour and green water can also kill
There will hardly be anyone who does not like golgappas. I find golgappas from roadside handcarts tastier than the golgappas found in big restaurants and hotels. If you also eat golgappas daily on the
Cartoonist R.K. Laxman to get a Memorial
Pune, Jan 27 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a memorial for legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman who passed away here late Monday."Laxman was not just a cartoonist - what he said
Earthquake: Earth shook again in Himachal, tremors felt at many places; Kinnaur's Sangla center
Earthquake tremors have been felt in many other areas including Kinnaur in Himachal. The earthquake occurred on Friday at 10.51 am. Its epicenter was five kilometers below the ground at Sangla in
After 28 years, 32 accused, including Advani-Murali, acquitted, the court said - CBI could not bring evidence, the structure was dropped by unknown people; Read 10 big things about 2000 pages decision
The decision finally came 28 years after Babri demolished the disputed structure. In Lucknow, the CBI Special Court judge SK Yadav acquitted all the 32 accused, including LK Advani, Murali Manohar
Even at the age of 58, Salman Khan's body has not diminished, he is working hard in the gym for Sikandar.
Whenever the fittest actor in the film industry is mentioned, Salman Khan's name is taken. Even at the age of 58, Salman is known for his solid fitness.
PAK vs SL: Pakistan-Sri Lanka ODI series schedule changed after Islamabad bomb blast, matches will now be played on this date
The ongoing ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been rescheduled following a suicide attack in Islamabad, the same city where the Sri Lankan team is currently staying. This tragic incident
Bigg Boss OTT 3: The birth of a son changed Ranveer Shorey's life, on Haroon's custody he said- he is with me half the time
Actor Ranvir Shorey is currently seen in Bigg Boss OTT 3. In the show, he is seen talking about his personal life. In the new episode of the show, Ranvir Shorey is getting quite expressive with the
Agnipath Recruitment: You will be able to apply for Agnipath recruitment in Air Force from this date, know the whole process
There is good news for the candidates who wish to devote themselves to the service of the country. Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a major update related to the application for the recruitment of
Since the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, 118 civilians have been killed so far, know how many Hindus
The Central Government told Parliament on Wednesday that there has been a decrease in the cases of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai