MoEF tells HC it is framing guidelines to manage riverbeds
10 Nov 2014 4:03 AM IST
A committee has been formed in March this year to ‘suggest a way forwad which would apply to all the rivers in the country,’ Ministry of Environment and Forests said on Friday in an affidavit filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vanshakti, an NGO.
The draft guidelines had been prepared and were in the process of finalisation, said the affidavit filed by BB Barman, a director in MoEF.
‘The agreed draft guidelines and notifications would thereafter be sent to the state government concerned for their consideration and comments. Based on the comments of the state government, the ministry will decide the further course of action,’ the ministry’ said in its affidavit.
The government pleader, representing the Narendra Modi-led central government, said that the process was underway and it would take some time as there was a need to involve the state governments.
The PIL sought measures for preserving riverbeds, preventing construction near the riverbeds and treated sewage being released into the rivers.
The petitioner sought two weeks time to respond to Ministry of Environment and Forests’ affidavit and the matter was adjourned till 22 November.
The draft guidelines had been prepared and were in the process of finalisation, said the affidavit filed by BB Barman, a director in MoEF.
‘The agreed draft guidelines and notifications would thereafter be sent to the state government concerned for their consideration and comments. Based on the comments of the state government, the ministry will decide the further course of action,’ the ministry’ said in its affidavit.
The government pleader, representing the Narendra Modi-led central government, said that the process was underway and it would take some time as there was a need to involve the state governments.
The PIL sought measures for preserving riverbeds, preventing construction near the riverbeds and treated sewage being released into the rivers.
The petitioner sought two weeks time to respond to Ministry of Environment and Forests’ affidavit and the matter was adjourned till 22 November.
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