Context: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), 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.

News:

• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, issued a notification to amend the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
• The amendment adds a new proviso in paragraph 6 of the 2016 order, granting NMCG powers to allow discharge of treated sewage into rivers or water bodies if it conforms to prescribed norms under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• The new provision permits NMCG to allow discharge of treated sewage into rivers after exploring options for direct reuse in purposes such as agriculture and industry.
• This contradicts existing provisions that prohibit the discharge of untreated or treated sewage into the River Ganga or its tributaries.
• Another proviso allows NMCG to permit the discharge of treated trade effluent into rivers or water bodies if it conforms to prescribed norms, after exploring options for direct reuse in agriculture and industry.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga

• It (NMCG) was established on August 12, 2011, as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It served as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• NGRBA was replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga in 2016.
• The primary objective of NMCG is to reduce pollution and facilitate the rejuvenation of the Ganga River.
• The Namami Gange program is a significant initiative of NMCG aimed at cleaning the Ganga.
• The mission seeks to achieve its goals by promoting intersectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management, maintaining minimum ecological flow in the river, and ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.
• The organizational structure includes a National Ganga Council, Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), State Ganga Committees, and District Ganga Committees.
• The National Ganga Council is chaired by the Prime Minister of India, and the ETF is chaired by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation). NMCG plays a crucial role in implementing the mission's objectives.
• The State Ganga Committees and District Ganga Committees operate at the state and district levels, respectively, focusing on measures for preventing, controlling, and abating environmental pollution in the Ganga River.