Government to begin implementation of 'Clean Ganga' plan next month

New Delhi: Government will start implementing its action plan on 'Clean Ganga' from next month and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch it, Union Minister Uma Bharti said on Saturday.

Speaking to mediapersons on the forthcoming 'India Water Week', Bharti said surface cleaning of Ganga's mainstream is already underway, while the comprehensive plan aiming at freeing the river of waste and ensuring unfettered flow will take off next month.

"It was required (for government) to spend some time on proper planning for a clean Ganga if we are to attain the target in a short span. When we drew up the action plan, we wanted to ensure, the flaws in the policies adopted in cleaning Ganga over the past 29 years are not repeated," she said.

"We have invited the Prime Minister to launch the plan for 'Clean Ganga' and start its implementation next month," Bharti said.

The minister also said the government has decided to undertake 40 projects under phase-I of the 'Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojana' (PMKYS). She said the Centre plans to offer incentives to states which will complete the projects in a time-bound manner.

On the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, Bharti said the government is "in a position to start the work soon".

The minister said the fourth edition of 'India Water Week', scheduled to be held between April 4-8, will see the country partnering with Israel on various aspects of water management and use of technologies.

"During the week, we will have delegates from Israel and Australia sharing with us their success stories of managing water and rivers. Israel's Agriculture Minister is expected to take part in the discussions," she said.

Israel will exclusively organise two sessions on 'Role of Micro Irrigation' in existing command and 'Israel Makes in India' and commercial success stories, water management.

The Centre has also partnered with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Telangana for the event.

The Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry has been organising 'India Water Week' since 2012 as an international event to focus on water related issues.