OFFICE OF THE YAMUNA POLLUTION MONITORING COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY HON’BLE NGT ROOM NO. 58, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE 40, MAX MUELLER MARG, LODHI ESTATE NEW DELHI – 110003

No. YPMC/2018/ 29 Date: 06 .11.2018

Shri Anup Chandra Pandey, (U.P.), Ist Floor, LokBhawan, Vidhan Sabha Marg, - 226001 (U.P.)

Sub: Meeting of the NGT Monitoring Committee constituted vide NGT’s orders dated 26.07.2018 in O.A. No. 06/2012 – Manoj Mishra V/s UOI & Others with the officers of State of U.P. regarding abatement of pollution in the river Yamuna. Notice for meeting on 17.11.18

Dear Sir,

Please refer to letter No. YPMC/2018/24 dated 26.10.2018 of the Yamuna Pollution Monitoring Committee appointed by the Hon’ble NGT wherein the undersigned had requested you to depute the concerned Secretaries or Principal Secretaries dealing with the issues covered in the judgment of the Tribunal.This was preceded by a telephone talk with you. Accordingly Smt.Kalpana Awasthi Secretary E& F contacted us and she was told that a meeting with the concerned Secretaries was proposed to be held at 11.00 AM on 31.10.2018 in the office of the Monitoring Committee. If the time and date were not convenient to the concerned officers to attend, an alternative date, preferably after Diwali was asked to be indicated.

The Monitoring Committee, however, notes with utmost regret that after regretting inability to attend the meeting no intimation was given by either Smt. Awasthi or any other officer about the convenience of the concerned officers to attend the meeting. The minutes of the meeting held with the officers of UP Government on 25.9.18 show the state of unpreparedness which is why the need for officers who have decision making authority to attend the MC’s meeting had been fully explained and re- explained to Smt. Awasthi.

As was explained in writing vide minutes of the MC’s meeting with UP Pollution Control Board Officers held on 25.9.2018 sent to the Chief Secretary UP by name, the issues are such where a commitment has to be made which has to be reported by the MC to the NGT.These matters emanate from NGT orders and the minutes had already highlighted everything. The MC’s progress report to NGT will have to be specific and reflect the state’s commitment to act and not only give incremental status reports, these matters include: 1. Flood plain protection and rejuvenation.This work has three aspects and has to be assigned to an Agency on a time bound basis. The responsibility given includes: (i) Demarcation of the flood plain. (ii) Watch and ward using GIS and ground security including police action against encroachment and unauthorized construction. (iii) Wetland development as per expert committee recommendations.It will need a commitment about the scope of the work and the budget assigned for and DDA is already getting expert concurrence for flood plain development before starting work.It is necessary that both agencies work in tandem and a decision on wetland development on the UP side of the river is needed. Only the Departmental Secretary would be in a position to make a long term commitment on the Agency, the Plan and the Budget assigned.

2. There are serious problems related to discharge of industrial effluent which are affecting Shahdara drain. This requires a firm commitment about action taken to establish CETPs and the budget provision and timelines for execution of the projects.

3. In particular the steps taken to review and mitigate pollution at Indirapuri, Loni, Sahibabad need to be reviewed and a commitment on time lines given.

4. In the meantime, the NGT vide its order dated 26.10.2018 in O.A. 644/2016 – Sushil Raghav & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors. has given very specific orders for implementation and reporting by the Chief Secretary and also referred the above case to the Monitoring Committee. This too will be taken up in the meeting of the MC with UP officers.

Since, the matter has been considerably delayed on account of ineffective participation from the state of UP, it is now proposed to hold a meeting at 03.00 PM on 17.11.2018 in the office of the MCin Room No. 58, India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi – 110003.

Please direct the concerned Secretaries / Principal Secretaries to attend the meeting.along withMembers of Monitoring Committeeof UP attend the meeting. In the event of non-participation by senior officers who can give commitments as mentioned above the Monitoring Committee will have little option but to report the matter to the Hon’ble NGT.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/- Sd/- Shailaja Chandra, B.S. Sajwan, Member, Member, Monitoring Committee for Yamuna Monitoring Committee for Yamuna

Copy to:- 1. Ms. Kalpna Awasthi, Principal Secretary (Env.), 101, Bapu Bhawan, U.P. Secretariat, Luncknow- 226001. 2. Sh. Manoj Singh, Principal Secy. (Nagar Vikas), U.P. Email-Id. [email protected] 3. Sh. T. Vankatesh, Principal Secy. (Irrigation), U.P. Email-Id. [email protected] 4. Sh. R.K.Singh, Principal Secy. (Industrial Dev.), U.P. Email-Id. [email protected] 5. Sh. B.B.Awasthi, Chief Env. Officer, UPPCB ([email protected]) 6. Sh. J.P.Maurya, AEE, UPPCB ([email protected]).

Copy to Resident Commissioner, U.P. Bhawan, 5, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.

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