Environment Ministry gets strict towards the compliance of green norms

Stressing its thrust on compliance, the Environment Ministry has appointed 20 officials to conduct assessments and periodical reviews of Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs). The Ministry has directed these officers to undertake field visits and review the progress at least once every quarter in these CPAs in coordination with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Along with this, the officers will also monitor the progress of the implementation of action plans in these CPAs.

CPCB issues notice to 184 Municipal Commissioners over sewage management

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued notices to Municipal Commissioners of 184 towns to ensure proper management of domestic sewage and solid waste. According to the CPCB observation, the sewage treatment capacity of the country is just 30% while the rest is disposed off directly into the rivers and lakes or seeps into the groundwater. The Authorities of the towns have been asked to submit a time-bound action plan for proper collection, treatment and disposal of sewage within 90 days.

Indian Railways to sell its own brand water at stations

Both the Central and Western Railways have issued a circular for the sale of only its own packaged drinking water brand, ‘Rail Neer’ at stations, and has warned of penalties against any violation. The decision has come following the CBI's raids that exposed hindrance to Rail Neer supply at stations as the Railways officials were bribed by private bottling firms and caterers. Following the circular, the demand for Rail Neer has increased to 10,000-12,000 cases from just 2,500 cases.

Maharashtra Govt to challenge NGT's decision to cancel the clearance to the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link

The Maharashtra Government has decided to challenge the National Green Tribunal's decision to suspend the mandatory Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance granted to the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) in 2013. Per the Tribunal, the State Government did not follow the procedure of CRZ clearance for the project and there were discrepancies in the amount of marine areas that would be affected due to the project. The latter wants to contest the order as it will further delay the project by two years or more.

Manoj Mishra seeks finalisation of River Regulation Zone notification

Environment activist Manoj Mishra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan has written to the Prime Minister demanding an immediate publication of River Regulation Zone (RRZ) notification. The notification along the lines of the Coastal Regulation Zone has been delayed by 13 years. Mishra has pointed out that the recent flooding in Mumbai, the 2008 Bihar floods and the 2013 Uttarakhand floods have been caused by the delay in the RRZ notification.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from October 20 - 26, 2015. Also read last week's news roundup.