Without offering any time-frame for cleaning river ‘Ganga’ the Government in the Lok Sabha on Thursday said the drive is a continuous process and it has sanctioned 305 projects at an estimated cost of over Rs 28,600 crore under the plan as the House on Thursday witnessed members raising questions on economy and Citizenship Bill with Shiv Sena seeking Rs Bharat RatnaRs for Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar.
Shiv Sena member Rajendra Gavit demanded ‘Bharat Ratna’, the highest civilian honour bestowed by the Union Government, for Savarkar and tribal icon Birsa Munda.
Rajendra Gavit made the demand during the Zero Hour. His short speech was mostly confined to contributions of Munda as he sought the honour for him and then made a mention of Savarkar as well.
“Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar be also given Bharat Ratna,” he said.
Members questioned government on the Rs GangaRs cleaning projects with Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat saying there has been improvement in the quality of water of the River Ganga.
Replying to a question during Question Hour, the minister said a total of 305 projects have so far been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 28,613.75 crore, out of which 109 projects have been completed and rest are at various stages of implementation.
The central government launched the Namami Gange Programme with a total budgetary outlay of Rs 20,000 crore for five year period till 31 December 2020 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga and its tributaries. He also said Ganga in 2019 has shown improved water quality trends as compared to 2014. The minister did not offer any time-frame for cleaning of the river.
Among other issues, Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress spoke about the “worsening” economic situation, citing reports to say that unemployment is at 8.5 per cent and household consumption has hit a new low. Real estate sector is also in a “crisis”, he added.
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was showing “cavalier attitude” and raising jingoistic and communal issues instead of focusing on improving the economy.
BJP’s Tapir Gao asked the government to take measures to end apprehensions among people in northeastern states about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
TDP’s Jayadev Galla said the new political map issued by the government does not show
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday cautioned a Congress member against questioning the Chair’s impartiality.
The incident happened during the Zero Hour after Ravneet Singh Bittu, a Congress MP from Punjab, raised the issue of the Union government’s decision to withdraw SPG security cover given to the Gandhi family . Birla cut him short saying the issue has been raised repeatedly in the house.”You have also joined hands with them,” Bittu told the Speaker while pointing to BJP members.
Birla then stopped the member, who had stood up to speak, and cautioned the Congress member against questioning the Chair in such a manner.