UP emerges as the top state in the country to give employment under MGNREGS

Under the rural employment guarantee scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government has engaged 57.13 lakh workers and thus become the top state in the country to give employment under the scheme. Uttar Pradesh is followed by Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. In April, with the onset of the nationwide lockdown, nearly six lakh workers were engaged across the country which rose to about 41 lakh till last week with the easing of the lockdown. While these workers are being engaged in different works, a large number of them are engaged in water conservation projects like deepening of ponds and river rejuvenation projects. (The Indian Express)

Jal Jeevan Mission: Maharashtra, West Bengal and Odisha asked to step up efforts

Taking note that Maharashtra, West Bengal and Odisha are among the states which are unable to reach their respective targets of 2019-20 for the scheme Har Ghar Jal, the Union Jal Ministry has asked them to step up their efforts for a speedy implementation of the scheme. In a letter to the Maharashtra Government, the Centre has urged the state to involve local village community and user groups to achieve drinking water security as 62 percent of the 1.42 crore rural households in the state still don’t have functional tap connections. While Odisha could complete 27.97 percent of its target to provide tap water connection in 2019-20, West Bengal came as a worst performer with providing only 4,750 tap water connections against the target of 32 lakh households this year. (The Times of India)

Andhra and Telangana failed to submit DPRs on proposed irrigation projects on Krishna and Godavari rivers

Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments have failed to submit detailed project reports of the irrigation projects being taken up by them on Krishna and Godavari rivers to the concerned River Management Board, while they were supposed to submit it in June for the evaluation of the Apex Council, which is the final authority on deciding the status of the projects. Both of them have blamed each other for continuing the construction of the projects without the permission of the Apex Council, which seems like an attempt to delay the process. The states are of the view that the Apex Council may stop the construction of the projects and this would damage their interests since they have gone much ahead in the construction of these projects. (The Hans India)

NBWL recommends cumulative impact of sand mining in Uttarakhand

Raising concerns about extensive sand and boulder mining projects in Uttarakhand and their impact on river ecology and wildlife, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended a cumulative impact study of the mining for consideration of future projects. NBWL had received three proposals for sand mining along the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve and five along the Rajaji National Park’s boundary near Haridwar and few of them have been deferred as they did not meet the environmental guidelines. The Board has made some recommendations so as to ascertain the impact of mining in upstream and downstream and for understanding the impact of mining on the natural flow of the river and health of adjoining forests. (Hindustan Times)

NGT seeks Centre, Gujarat responses over mangrove destruction

Issuing notices to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Gujarat government, Gujarat State Coastal Zone Management Authority and others, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from them on the allegation that Deen Dayal Port Trust in Gujarat's Kutch district was not executing the directions issued to protect the mangroves in its vicinity from destruction. The notification came following the petition filed that alleged rampant clearing of the mangroves in Nani Chirai and Moti Chirai areas of Bhachau Taluka in Kutch district by the Deen Dayal Port Trust led to the destruction of habitat of the indigenous Kharai camels, which has inturn affected the livelihood of villagers dependent on the mangroves. (Outlook India)

This is a roundup of important policy matters from June 12 - 23, 2020. Also, read news this week.