Why is it in the News?

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the Centre’s nodal agency responsible for the abatement of pollution in river Ganga and its tributaries, has assumed new powers under which it may now permit the discharge of treated sewage and effluent that conforms to the prescribed “norms” into the river, canal or water bodies.

About the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

• The National Clean Ganga Mission (NMCG) is a flagship programme developed by the National Council for the Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of the Ganga River, also known as the National Ganga Council.
• It is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It came into existence on August 12th 2011 and is supported by the State-Level Program Management Groups (SPMGs) in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• The Government of India established this body to encourage a coordinated effort by the listed states to tackle the contamination of the Ganga River by offering financial and technological assistance.

Key objectives of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

• The project entails rehabilitating and boosting existing STPs and immediate short-term action to reduce pollution at the exit points on the riverfront in order to control the inflow of sewage.
• To preserve the consistency of the water cycle without altering the fluctuations of the natural season.
• Restore and control surface and groundwater supply.
• Regenerate and preserve the natural flora of the city.
• To preserve and invigorate the aquatic biodiversity and the riparian biodiversity of the Ganga River basin.
• Enable the public to engage in the process of protecting, rejuvenating and maintaining the water.

Major functions of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG):

• Execution of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) work program
• Integration of the National Ganga River Basin Project supported by the World Bank
• Supervise and manage the execution of projects approved by the Government of India under NGRBA
• To perform some additional research or duties as may be delegated by MoWR, RD & GJ in the context of restoration of the Ganga River
• Layout regulations and procedures for the conduct of NMCG affairs and contribute or revise, vary or amend them as and when required
• Grant or accept financial aid, loan securities or properties of any kind, and undertake and approve the management of any endowment trust, fund or gift that is not incompatible with the objectives of the NMCG.
• Take all such action and take any other action that might seem appropriate or relevant to the accomplishment of the goals of the NGRBA.