NEW DELHI, May 16: The Uttar Pradesh and Bihar police have launched a massive operation of guarding the banks of the river Ganga after the central government’s directive to the two riverine states to prevent dumping of the bodies in the holy river that serve as the drinking water supplier to innumerable urban and rural centres all along its banks.
Pointing out that the country was facing an extraordinary situation wherein a number of COVID-19 cases and consequential deaths have been on the rise in many States and Union Territories in the recent past, the Centre said the dumping of bodies or partially burnt or unburnt decomposed corpses in the river Ganga and its tributaries “is most undesirable and alarming.”
Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Pankaj Kumar, on May 15, 2021 reviewed the position and action taken in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar wherein States appraised the latest position and further action points were decided. The Secretary said stopping of dumping of dead bodies as well as their safe disposal and protection of water quality has to be attended to on war footing. He said after knowing the progress from states, Central Water Commission, Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards would also be giving their feedback and action plans.
Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) stated that the situation was being constantly reviewed with the authorities in several districts including Unnao, Kanpur rural, Ghazipur, and Balia in UP and Buxar and Saran in Bihar. However, some cases are also reported from other districts as well. He asked the state missions to follow up action taken with all districts. He said there was need to strengthen enforcement, maintain vigil and also takes proactive action to facilitate and support the families for cremation of dead bodies and asked state missions to specifically report on this. If needed, Project Directors can assess and also give support to District Ganga Committees for this out of NMCG funds available with them while keeping NMCG informed.
Anurag Srivastava, Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Project Director, State Ganga Mission, and other state government officials informed the Ganga Mission director general that the state government had alerted all the district magistrates in the states about the issue and NMCG’s instructions have been shared. These district magistrates are getting patrolling carried out to prevent dumping of dead bodies in Ganga. He also informed that 13 crematoriums under Namami Gange in addition to existing ones are made available for cremation of dead bodies. It was informed that orders have been issued for financial support in urban areas. He said similar orders for financial support of Rs 5000 have also been issued by Panchayati Raj Department for rural areas, similar to urban areas, and State Disaster Response Forces and other forces have also been asked to do patrolling. Authorities are in touch with Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies.
The Bihar urban development department secretary Anand Kishore informed the mission about the state government’s decision to bear all expenses for the cremation or burial of the bodies of the people dying due to Covid to help in stopping dumping the bodies in the river.
(Manas Dasgupta)
