596 brick kilns along Ganga's banks are pushing it away from Patna

Per records of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), there are nearly 596 brick kilns along the banks of the Ganga, which are pushing away the river from Patna. This has been reiterated by the technical panel of the State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), according to whom, these unplanned brick kilns have been diverting the flow and direction of the river for the past 25 years besides also polluting the river. Moreover, experts have claimed that the majority of the licensed brick kilns are within 50m of the riverbank, despite the prohibiting norms.

Centre promises more compensation to hailstorms affected farmers

In the wake of the recent hailstorms, the Prime Minister has announced an increase in the compensation given to farmers by 50% under the National Disaster Response Fund. Along with this, he has also reduced the minimum area of damage for relief to 33%, as against the current 50%. However, the State Governments have been asked to reserve 10% of the State Disaster Response Fund for 'local disasters'. The Central teams have been sent to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan to assess the extent of damage.

Government invites public suggestions for waste management rules

The Environment Ministry has drafted the waste management rules, which have been put up on the website to invite public suggestions. People can also send their suggestions within 50 days of the announcement, after which the rules will be finalised within two months. Suggestions have been invited for solid, plastic, bio-medical and e-waste while the hazardous waste management rules have already been finalised.

Bihar Pollution Control Board is virtually a failure: CAG

According to the performance audit report of the CAG, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) is a total failure in tackling pollution in the state. Neither has it conducted any survey to identify the polluting industries in the state, nor has it maintained any inventory for planning purposes. Moreover, the Board has also been lax in implementing pollution control measures and abiding by the Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2000.

Punjab to get Rs 1,540 crore funds to provide water and sanitation in rural areas

The World Bank has sanctioned a loan of Rs 1,540 crore to the Punjab Government for the 'Punjab Rural Water and Sanitation Sector Improvement Project'. The objective of the project is to improve the water and sanitation facilities in the state and reduce open defecation in rural areas. The project envisions a minimum of 10 hours per day of water supply, a toilet in every household and sewerage systems in over 315 villages.

This is a roundup of important news from April 7 - April 12, 2015. Also read last week's policy updates.