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River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016

[7th October, 2016]

[1][THE MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI]

Whereas it is necessary to constitute authorities at Central, State and District levels to take measures for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate the River Ganga to its natural and pristine condition and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;

And whereas the River Ganga is of unique importance ascribed to reasons that are geographical, historical, socio-cultural and economic giving it the status of a National River;

And whereas the River Ganga has been facing serious threat due to discharge of increasing quantities of sewage, trade effluents and other pollutants on account of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation;

And whereas, the demand for water of River Ganga is growing for irrigation, drinking water supplies, industrial use and hydro-power due to increase in population, urbanisation, industrialisation, infrastructural development and taking into account the need to meet competing demands;

And whereas there is an urgent need—

(a) to ensure effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of the River Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-State and inter-sectoral co-ordination for comprehensive planning and management;

(b) to maintain ecological flows in the River Ganga with the aim of ensuring continuous flows throughout its length so as to restore its ecological integrity that enables it to self rejuvenate;

(c) for imposing restrictions in areas abutting the River Ganga in which industries, operations or processes, or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards;

(d) to make provision for inspection of any premises, plants, equipment, machineries, manufacturing or other processes, materials or substances and giving direction to the authorities, officers and persons as may be necessary to take steps, for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in the River Ganga;

(e) for carrying out and sponsoring investigations and research relating to problems of environmental pollution in the River Ganga and examination of such manufacturing processes, material and substance as are likely to cause environmental pollution;

(f) for collection and dissemination of information in respect of matters relating to environmental pollution in the River Ganga and preparation of manual, codes or guide relating to the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution;

And whereas the State Governments concerned, being equally responsible for Ganga rejuvenation, are required to coordinate and implement the river conservation activities at the State level, and to take steps for comprehensive management of the River Ganga in their States;

And whereas it is required to have planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authorities for strengthening the collective efforts of the Central Government and the State Governments and authorities under this Order for effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), read with clauses (i), (ii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xii) and (xiii) of sub-section (2) and (3) of section 3 and sections 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20 and 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) (hereinafter referred to as the Act) and in supersession of the notifications of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests numbers S.O. 1111(E), dated the 30th September, 2009, S.O. 2493(E), dated the 30th September, 2009, S.O. 2494(E), dated the 30th September 2009, S.O. 2495(E), dated the 30th September 2009, S.O. 287(E) dated the 8th February, 2010 and in the [2][erstwhile Ministry of Water Resource], River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation No. S.O. 2539(E), dated the 29th September 2014, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby

(i) constitutes the authorities by the names mentioned in this Order for the purpose of exercising and performing such of the powers and functions (including the power to issue directions under section 5 of the Act and for taking measures with respect to the matters as mentioned in this Order;

(ii) directs, subject to the supervision and control of the Central Government and the provisions of this Order, such authority or authorities as specified in this Order that shall exercise the powers or perform the functions or take the measures so mentioned in this Order as if such authorities had been empowered by the Act to exercise those powers, perform those functions, or take such measures;

(iii) directs that all its powers and functions (except the power to constitute any authority under sub-section (3) of section 3 and to make rules under the sections 6 and 25 of the Act) under any provision of the Act shall, in relation to River Ganga and matters connected therewith, be exercisable and discharged also by the authorities constituted by this Order and by the officers specified in this Order, subject to such conditions and limitations and to the extent as specified in this Order.

Order - 1. Short title and commencement.

(1) This Order may be called the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.

(2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Order - 2. Applicability.

This Order shall apply to the States comprising River Ganga Basin, namely, Himanchal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal and the National Capital Territory of Delhi and such other States, having major tributaries of the River Ganga as the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga may decide for the purpose of effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga.

Order - 3. Definitions.

(1) In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “Act” means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986);

(b) “Basin” means the entire catchment of a water body or water course including the soil, water, vegetation and other natural resources in the area and includes land, water, vegetation and other natural resources on a catchment basis;

(d) “catchment” or ““catchment area “includes the entire land area whose runoff from rain, snow or ice drains into a water body or a water course, before the water course joins River Ganga or its tributaries or discharges water into River Ganga or its tributaries;

(e) “commercial fishing” means large scale fishing for commercial purposes by nets, poisoning, or other modern fishing gear or methods in River Ganga or its tributaries;

(f) Competent authority means “Central Government”

(g) “deforestation” means removal or reduction of forest cover, especially when caused by anthropogenic activities or removal of trees and other vegetation of a forest excluding a planned clearance for scientific management of forest in particular in the catchment area of River Ganga;

(h) “degraded forest” means a forest having loss or reduction of native forest cover or vegetation density in the catchment area abutting River Ganga or its tributaries;

(i) “direction” shall mean direction issued under section 5 of the Act and the expression “direct” shall be construed accordingly;

(j) “District Ganga Committee” means the District Ganga Protection Committee mentioned in paragraph 53;

(k) “engineered diversion” means a structure or device constructed or installed to transfer the water of River Ganga or its tributaries into canals or other engineering structures;

(l) “flood plain” means such area of River Ganga or its tributaries which comes under water on either side of it due to floods corresponding to its greatest flow or with a flood of frequency once in hundred years;

(m) “Ghat” means sloping part at Bank of River Ganga or its tributaries with artificially constructed steps or sloping piece of land used for providing easy human access to water of River Ganga or its tributaries and includes usage of such parts for religious or other related purposes;

(n) “local authority” includes Panchayati raj institutions, municipalities, a district board, cantonment board, town planning authority or Zila Parishad or any other body or authority, by whatever name called, for the time being invested by law, for rendering essential services or with the control and management of civic services, within a specified local area;

(o) “National Mission for Clean Ganga” means the authority mentioned in paragraph 31.

(p) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression ‘notifying’ shall be construed accordingly;

(q) “offensive matter” consists of solid waste which includes animal carcasses, kitchen or stable refuse, dung, dirt, putrid or putrefying substances and filth of any kind which is not included in the sewage;

(r) “person” include—

(i) an individual or group or association of individuals whether incorporated or not;

(ii) a company established under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013);

(iii) any corporation established by or under any Central or State Act;

(iv) a local authority;

(v) every juridical person not falling within any of the preceding sub-clauses;

(s) “River Bed” means the dried portion of the area of River Ganga or its tributaries and includes the place where the River Ganga or its tributaries run its course when it fills with water and includes the land by the side of River Ganga or its tributaries which retains the water in its natural channel, when there is the greatest flow of water;

(t) “River Bed Farming” includes seasonal agriculture or farming on the River Bed of River Ganga or its tributaries during low flows of water;

(u) “River Ganga” means the entire length of six head-streams in the State of Uttarakhand namely, Rivers Alakananda, Dhauli Ganga, Nandakini, Pinder, Mandakini and Bhagirathi starting from their originating glaciers up to their respective confluences at Vishnu Prayag, Nand Prayag, Karn Prayag, Rudra Prayag, and Dev Prayag as also the main stem of the river thereafter up to Ganga Sagar including Prayag Raj and includes all its tributaries;

(v) “rubbish” means ashes, broken brick, mortar, broken glass, dust or refuse of any kind and includes filth;

(w) “sand mining” means large scale removal of river sand from the dried channel belt, flood plain or a part of River Ganga or its tributaries;

(x) “sewage effluent” means effluent from any sewerage system or sewage disposal works and includes sewage from open drains;

(y) “sewerage scheme” means any scheme which a local authority may introduce for removal of sewage by flushing with water through underground closed sewers;

(z) “Schedule” means Schedule appended to this Order;

(za) “specified District” means an area of every District abutting the River Ganga, being within a radius of fifteen kilometers of the Ganga River Bank or its tributaries in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal and the National Capital Territory of Delhi and such other States, having major tributaries of the River Ganga as referred to in this Order;

(zb) “State Ganga Committee” means the State Ganga Rejuvenation, Protection and Management Committee constituted under this Order for each of the States mentioned in paragraph 2.

(zc) State Ganga River Conservation Authority means an authority earlier constituted in each State under the Act as follows, namely:—

(i) the Bihar State Ganga River Conservation Authority constituted by the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 287(E), dated 8th February 2010;

(ii) the Jharkhand State Ganga River Conservation Authority constituted by the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 2495(E), dated 30th September 2009;

(iii) the Uttarakhand State Ganga River Conservation Authority constituted by the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 1111(E), dated 30th September 2009;

(iv) the Uttar Pradesh State Ganga River Conservation Authority constituted by the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 2493(E), dated 30th September 2009; and

(v) the West Bengal State Ganga River Conservation Authority constituted by the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests number S.O. 2494(E), dated 30th September 2009.

(zd) “stream” includes river, water course (whether flowing or for the time being dry), inland water (whether natural or artificial) and sub-terrain waters;

(ze) “tributaries of River Ganga” means those rivers or streams which flow into River Ganga and includes Yamuna River, Son River, Mahananda River, Kosi River, Gandak River, Ghaghara River and Mahakali River and their tributaries or such other rivers which National Council for Rejuvenation Protection and Management of River Ganga may, by notification, specify for the purposes of this Order.

(2) The words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

Order - 4. Principles to be followed for rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga.

(1) The following principles shall be followed in taking measures for the rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga, namely:—

(i) the River Ganga shall be managed as a single system;

(ii) the restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical, and biological quality of the waters of River Ganga shall be achieved in a time bound manner;

(iii) the River Ganga shall be managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;

(iv) the continuity of flow in the River Ganga shall be maintained without altering the natural seasonal variations;

(v) the longitudinal, lateral and vertical dimensions (connectivities) of River Ganga shall be incorporated into river management processes and practices;

(vi) the integral relationship between the surface flow and sub-surface water (ground water) shall be restored and maintained;

(vii) the lost natural vegetation in catchment area shall be regenerated and maintained;

(viii) the aquatic and riparian biodiversity in River Ganga Basin shall be regenerated and conserved;

(ix) the bank of River Ganga and its flood plain shall be construction free Zone to reduce pollution sources, pressures and to maintain its natural ground water recharge functions;

(x) the public participation in rejuvenation, protection and management, revision and enforcement of any regulation, standard, effluent limitation plan, or programme for rejuvenation, protection and management shallbe encouraged and made an integral part of processes and practices of River Ganga rejuvenation, protection and management.

(2) National Mission for Clean Ganga may, having regard to the needs of the people of the country, advances in technology and socio economic conditions of the people and to preserve the rich heritage of national composite culture, specify additional principles in addition to the principles specified under sub-paragraph (1).

Order - 5. Ecological flow of water in River Ganga to be maintained.

(1) Every State Government, shall endeavor to ensure that uninterrupted flows of water are maintained at all times in River Ganga as required under clause (iv) of paragraph (4).

(2) Every State Government shall also endeavor to maintain adequate flow of water in River Ganga in different seasons to enable River Ganga to sustain its ecological integrity and to achieve the goal, all concerned authorities shall take suitable actions in a time bound manner.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph, the average flow of water shall be determined by such Hydrology Observation Stations at such points of the River Ganga, as may be specified by the National Mission for Clean Ganga:

Provided that the average flow of water in River Ganga may, having regard to ecology, be determined by the National Mission for Clean Ganga for different points of River Ganga.

Order - 6. Prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries.

(1) No person shall discharge, directly or indirectly, any untreated or treated sewage or sewage sludge into the River Ganga or its tributaries or its banks:

Provided that where a local authority does not have, on the date of commencement of this Order, sewerage scheme or infrastructure for collection, storage, transportation and disposal of sewage or sewage sludge or such infrastructure is not functional on the said date in an area abutting the River Ganga or its tributaries, every such local authority shall, within a period, specified by National Mission for Clean Ganga from the date of commencement of this Order, develop such infrastructure or make such infrastructure functional, as the case may be, for collection, storage, transportation and disposal of sewage in the territorial area of the local authority.

(2) No person shall discharge, directly or indirectly, any untreated or treated trade effluent and industrial waste, bio-medical waste, or other hazardous substance into the River Ganga or its tributaries or on their banks:

Provided further that where an industry or industrial area management does not have, on the date of commencement of this Order, industrial effluent treatment scheme or infrastructure for collection, storage, transportation and disposal of trade effluents industrial waste, bio-medical waste, or other hazardous substance, etc. or such infrastructure is not functional on the said date in an area abutting the River Ganga or its tributaries, every such industry or industrial area management shall, within a period so specified by the National Mission for Clean Ganga from the date of commencement of this Order, develop such infrastructure or make such infrastructure functional, as the case may be, for collection, storage, transportation and disposal of trade effluent and industrial waste, bio-medical waste, or other hazardous substance in the jurisdiction of the industry or industrial area management.

(3) No person shall construct any structure, whether permanent or temporary for residential or commercial or industrial or any other purposes in the River Ganga, Bank of River Ganga or its tributaries or active flood plain area of River Ganga or its tributaries:

Provided that in exceptional circumstances like natural calamities or religious events at traditional locations, temporary structures can be raised after prior permission of the National Mission for Clean Ganga acting through the State Ganga Committee and the District Ganga Committee:

Provided further that in case any such construction has been completed, before the commencement of this Order, in the River Bank of River Ganga or its tributaries or active flood plain area of River Ganga or its tributaries, the National Mission for Clean Ganga shall review such constructions so as to examine as to whether such constructions are causing interruption in the continuous flow of water or pollution in River Ganga or its tributaries, and if that be so, it shall cause for removing them.

(4) No person shall do any act or carry on any project or process or activity which, notwithstanding whether such act has been mentioned in this Order or not, has the effect of causing pollution in the River Ganga.

(5) It shall be the duty of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, every Specified State Ganga Committee or specified District Ganga Protection Committee, local authority and all other authorities and persons to disseminate widely and bring to public notice, using various means, information captured in reports and the aforesaid measures in the local language in every village, town, city and other areas abutting River Ganga and its tributaries.

Order - 7. Emergency measures in case of pollution of River Ganga or its tributaries

If any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter is present or has entered into the River Ganga due to any accident or other unforeseen act or event, and it is necessary or expedient to take immediate action, the National Mission for Clean Ganga shall take immediate action for carrying out such operations or direct for carrying out such operations by the specified State Ganga Committee or specified District Ganga Committee or local authority or any other authority or Board or Corporation, as it may consider necessary for all or any of the following purposes, namely; —

(a) the manner of removing the matter from River Ganga and disposing it off in such a manner as it may specify, as also, for carrying out such operations as is considered appropriate for mitigation or removal of any pollution caused by such matter;

(b) issuing directions restraining or prohibiting any person concerned from discharging any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter in the River Ganga;

Order - 8. Power to issue directions.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall, in the exercise of its powers and performance or its functions under this Order, issue such directions in writing as it may consider necessary for abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga to the concerned authority or local authority or other authorities or Board or Corporation or person and they shall be bound to comply with such directions.

Order - 9. Ganga safety audit.

Every District Ganga Committee shall cause the Ganga safety audit to be carried out by such Ganga Safety Auditors within such time frame and in accordance with such protocols as may be specified by the National Mission for Clean Ganga for the area of the River Ganga abutting such district and forward the copy of the report of such safety audit along with remedial action taken thereon to the concerned State Ganga Committee and the National Mission for Clean Ganga, which shall take appropriate action thereon, if required.

Order - 10. Pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries to be monitored.

(1) The pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries shall be monitored by the National Mission for Clean Ganga on its own or by directions through various State and Central Government agencies by use of satellite imagery and other remote sensing technologies as well as physical stations, online monitoring and independent agencies at a periodicity to be specified by it.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph (1), the Central Government may assign the function of monitoring of pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries to any other agency or body or direct, having regard to advances in technology, to monitor the aforesaid pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries by adopting any other technique or method, as may be specified in the direction.

Order - 11. Constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga.

With effect from the date of commencement of this Order, there shall be constituted an authority by the name to be called the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga, (hereinafter in this Order called as the National Ganga Council) for the purposes of the Act and to exercise powers and discharge functions as specified in this Order and the Act.

Order - 12. Composition of National Ganga Council.

[3][(1) The National Ganga Council shall consist of the following members, namely:—


(a)	Prime Minister	Chairperson, ex-officio;
(b)	Union Minister for Jal Shakti	-Vice-Chairperson, ex-officio;
(c)	Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change	-Member, ex-officio;
(d)	Union Minister for Finance	-Member, ex-officio;
(e)	Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs	-Member, ex-officio;
(f)	Union Minister for Power	-Member, ex-officio;
(g)	Union Minister for Science and Technology	-Member, ex-officio;
(h)	Union Minister for Rural Development	-Member, ex-officio;
(i)	Union Minister for Shipping	-Member, ex-officio;
(j)	Union Minister of State for Tourism	-Member, ex-officio;
(k)	Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog	-Member, ex-officio;
(l)	Chief Minister, Bihar	-Member, ex-officio;
(m)	Chief Minister, Jharkhand	-Member, ex-officio;
(n)	Chief Minister, Uttarakhand	-Member, ex-officio;
(o)	Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh	-Member, ex-officio;
(p)	Chief Minister, West Bengal	-Member, ex-officio;
(q)	Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	-Member, ex-officio;
(r)	Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation	-Member, ex-officio;
(s)	Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs	-Member, ex-officio;
(t)	Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare	-Member, ex-officio;
(u)	Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga	-Member Secretary, ex-officio.

(2) The National Ganga Council may co-opt one or more Chief Ministers from the States not represented in the National Ganga Council having major tributaries of River Ganga, which are likely to affect the water quality in the River Ganga, as Member.

(3) The National Ganga Council may also co-opt one or more Union Ministers, if it considers necessary, as Member.

(4) The National Ganga Council may consult experts and expert organisations or institutions in the field of river rejuvenation, river ecology and river management, hydrology, environmental engineering, social mobilisation and other relevant fields.

(5) The Headquarter of the National Ganga Council shall be at New Delhi or at such other place as it may decide.

(6) The National Ganga Council shall have its Secretariat in the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

(7) The Central Government in [4][the Ministry of Jal Shakti] shall serve as the nodal Ministry.

Order - 13. Dissolution of National Ganga River Basin Authority

(1) On and from the date of constitution of the National Ganga Council in paragraph 11, the National Ganga River Basin Authority constituted by Notification of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, number S.O. 2539(E), dated the 29th September 2014 shall stand dissolved.

(2) All things done or omitted to be done or actions taken or any money spent or authorised to be spent by the National Ganga River Basin Authority before such dissolution shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Order.

Order - 14. Superintendence, direction and control of management of River Ganga to vest in National Ganga Council.

The National Ganga Council shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, be overall responsible for the superintendence, direction, development and control of River Ganga and the entire River Basin (including financial and administrative matters) for the protection, prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its rejuvenation to its natural and pristine condition and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water in the River Ganga and for matters connected therewith.

Order - 15. Jurisdiction of National Ganga Council.

The jurisdiction of the National Ganga Council shall extend to the areas mentioned in paragraph 2.

Order - 16. Meetings of National Ganga Council.

(1) National Ganga Council may regulate its own procedure for transacting its business including its meetings.

(2) The Chairperson of the National Ganga Council shall preside over its meetings and in his absence, its Vice-Chairperson shall, preside over the meetings of the National Ganga Council and conduct its business.

(3) The Vice-Chairperson shall have the power to take decisions necessary for the National Ganga Council to achieve its objectives, in between the conduct of the two meetings of the Council subject to ratification in the next meeting.

(4) The National Ganga Council shall meet at least once every year or more as it may deem necessary.

Order - 17. Constitution of Empowered Task Force on River Ganga as authority.

(1) With effect from the date of commencement of this Order, there shall be constituted an authority by the name to be called the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga for the purposes of the Act and to exercise powers and discharge functions as specified in this Order and the Act.

(2) The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga shall consist of the following members, namely:—


[5][(a) Union Minister for Jal Shakti	- Chairperson, ex-officio;
(b) Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti	- Vice-Chairperson, ex-officio;
(c) Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	- Member, ex-officio]
(d) Secretary in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure)	- Member, ex-officio;
(e) Chief Executive Officer, Niti Ayog	- Member, ex-officio;
(f) Chief Secretary, State of Uttrakhand	- Member, ex-officio;
(g) Chief Secretary, State of Uttar Pradesh	- Member, ex-officio;
(h) Chief Secretary, State of Bihar	- Member, ex-officio;
(i) Chief Secretary, State of Jharkhand	- Member, ex-officio;
(j) Chief Secretary, State of West Bengal	- Member, ex-officio;
(k) Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Member-Secretary

(3) The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga may also co-opt one or more Secretary in the Union Ministries or the Chief Secretary of any other State concerned, if it considers necessary, as member

(4) The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga shall meet at least once every three months or more as it may deem necessary.

(5) The administrative and technical support to the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga shall be provided by the Central Government in [6][the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation)] which shall be the nodal Ministry for the purposes of such administrative and technical support.

Order - 18. Functions and powers of Empowered Task Force on River Ganga.

(1) The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga shall co-ordinate and advise on matters relating to rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-paragraph (1), the functions and powers of the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga may include measures with respect to all or any of the following matters in rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga, namely:—

(a) ensuring that the Ministries, Departments and State Governments concerned have —

(i) an action plan with specific activities, milestones, and timelines for achievement of the objective of rejuvenation and protection of River Ganga;

(ii) a mechanism for monitoring implementation of its action plans;

(b) co-ordination amongst the Ministries and Departments and State Governments concerned for implementation of its action plans in a time bound manner;

(c) to monitor the implementation process, address bottlenecks, suggest and take such decisions as may be necessary to ensure speedy implementation;

(d) all projects under the ambit of Namami Gange including ongoing projects funded domestically and through external assistance;

(e) discharge of such other functions or exercise of such powers as may be considered necessary for achievement of the objective of rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga or as may be assigned to it by the Central Government or specified by the National Ganga Council;

Order - 19. Approval for projects exceeding value of rupees one thousand crore.

(1) The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga shall be responsible for the approval of every project exceeding a value of rupees one thousand crore, as amended from time to time.

(2) The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga may constitute a sub-committee of officials amongst its members for the purpose of sub-paragraph (1)

Order - 20. Constitution and Composition of Specified State Ganga Rejuvenation, Protection and Management Committees as authorities.

With effect from the date of commencement of this Order, these shall be constituted, in each State as specified in paragraph 2, an authority to be called the State Ganga Rejuvenation, Protection and Management Committee, which shall consist of a Chairperson and other members as specified in the Schedule to exercise powers and discharge functions as specified in this Order and the Act.

Order - 21. Meetings of State Ganga Committee.

(1) Every State Ganga Committee may regulate its own procedure for transacting its business including its meetings.

(2) Every State Ganga Committee shall convene its meetings at least once in every three months' time.

(3) The Chairperson of the State Ganga Committee shall preside over its meetings and in his absence, the said Committee shall elect its Vice-Chairperson who shall, preside over the meetings of the State Ganga Committee and conduct its business.

Order - 22. Superintendence, direction and control over Committee.

The superintendence, direction and control of the District Ganga Committees shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, vest in the State Ganga Committee, for the purposes of rejuvenation, protection, prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries so as to rejuvenate the River Ganga to its natural and pristine condition and ensure continuous and adequate flow of water in River Ganga and for protection and management of River Ganga in the States concerned.

Order - 23. Decisions of State Ganga Committee to be binding.

The decision taken at the meetings of the State Ganga Committee shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, be binding upon every District Ganga Committee and every local authority or other authority or Board or person referred to in such decision and they shall comply with the decisions of the State Ganga Committee.

Order - 24. Powers, duties and functions of State Ganga Committees.

(1) Every State Ganga Committee shall, subject to the provisions of the Act and rules made or directions issued thereunder, have the power to take all such measures, including those in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8, as it deems necessary or expedient for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the River Ganga and for implementing the decisions or directions of the National Ganga Council and National Mission for Clean Ganga.

(2) The State Ganga Committee shall implement various programmes and projects of the National Ganga Council and National Mission for Clean Ganga.

(3) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-paragraphs (1) and (2), such measures may include all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) coordination and implementation of the conservation activities relating to River Ganga including augmentation of sewerage infrastructure, catchment area treatment, protection of flood plains, creating public awareness and such other measures at the State level and regulation of activities aimed at the prevention, control and abatement of pollution in the River Ganga to maintain its water quality, and to take such other measures relevant to river ecology and management in the State concerned;

(b) implementation of the river basin management plan in the concerned State;

(d) entry and inspection under section 10 and power to take sample under section 11 of the Act for the purpose of exercising and performing its functions under this Order.

(4) The State Ganga Committee shall undertake all the emergency measures mentioned in paragraph 7.

(5) The State Ganga Committee shall have the powers to issue directions under section 5 of the Act.

(6) The powers and functions of the State Ganga Committee shall be without prejudice to any of the powers conferred upon the State Government under any Central or State Act, being not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.

Order - 25. Monitoring execution of plans and programmes of District Ganga Committees.

Every State Ganga Committee shall monitor the execution of plans, programmes, and projects of all their District Ganga Protection Committees and those of other authorities and submit progress in respect thereof to the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Order - 26. Preparation of consolidated reports of all District Ganga Committees and taking remedial measures in respect thereof.

(1) Every State Ganga Committee shall prepare a consolidated report of all District Ganga Protection Committees, local authorities or other authorities or Board or Corporation or person for every quarter indicating therein in respect of each specified District abutting River Ganga and its tributaries,—

(a) the status of the plans being executed and measures taken by them and any other activity relating to the health of River Ganga and its tributaries;

(b) the quality of water in River Ganga and its tributaries in each specified District and remedial action in respect thereof;

(d) remedial measures taken on the complaints made to the District Ganga Committee or local authorities or other authorities;

(e) adverse report as reported by Ganga safety auditors in each specified District;

(f) any other information relevant to the health of River Ganga and its tributaries.

(2) The report referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall be submitted within one month at the end of each year to the State Ganga Committee and National Mission for Clean Ganga along with remedial action thereof.

Order - 27. Conducting of Ganga safety audit and submission of such audit reports by State Ganga Committees.

(1) It shall be the duty of the State Ganga Committees to conduct or causes to be conducted, through the District Ganga Committees, the Ganga safety audit and submit report of the Ganga safety audit to the National Mission for Clean Ganga along with the remedial action taken thereon and also make available the same in public domain and exhibit the same at its website.

(2) The Ganga safety audit shall include such particulars and be done at such intervals (save as otherwise provided in this Order) and in such manner as may be specified, by notification, by the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Order - 28. State Ganga Committee to be nodal agency.

The State Ganga Committee shall be the State-wide nodal agency in the State for the implementation of the provisions of this Order and for effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga and its tributaries.

Order - 29. State Ganga Committees to be bound by direction of National Ganga Council and National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Every State Ganga Committee, without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Order, shall, in exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Order, be bound by the decisions or such directions (including those relating to technical and administrative matters) as the National Ganga Council and the National Mission for Clean Ganga may give in writing to it from time to time for abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga.

Order - 30. Dissolution of State Ganga River Conservation Authorities and State Executive Committees.

(1) With effect from the date of constitution of the State Ganga Committees, the respective State Ganga River Conservation Authorities and the respective State Executive Committees constituted before the commencement of this Order shall stand dissolved.

(2) All things done or omitted to be done or actions taken or any money spent or authorised to be spent by the authorities and committees under sub-paragraph (1) before such dissolution shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Order.

Order - 31. Constitution of National Mission for Clean Ganga as an authority.

(1) With effect from the date of commencement of this Order, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), shall be an authority constituted under the Act, by the same name for the purposes of the Act and to exercise powers and discharge functions as specified under this Order and the Act and the rules made or directions issued thereunder.

(2) The composition of the National Mission for Clean Ganga shall be as specified in paragraph 35.

Order - 32. Area of operation of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

The area of operation of the National Mission for Clean Ganga shall be the areas mentioned in paragraph 2.

Order - 33. National Mission for Clean Ganga to be nodal agency.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall be the nodal agency for the nationwide implementation of the provisions of this Order and for effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga and its tributaries.

Order - 34. National Mission for Clean Ganga to be an empowered organization.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall be an empowered organisation with two tier management having administrative, appraisal and approval powers and duties, functions and powers as specified in this Order.

Order - 35. Composition of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall have a two-tier management structure and it shall comprise of the Governing Council and the Executive Committee.

(1) The Governing Council shall consist of the following members, namely:—

(a)	Director General of National Mission for Clean Ganga	Chairman, ex-officio
[7][(b)	Joint Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	Member, ex-officio
(c)	Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs	Member, ex-officio]
(d)	Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change	Member, ex-officio
(e)	Joint Secretary, Department of Expenditure	Member, ex-officio
(f)	Representative of NITI Aayog (not below Joint Secretary)	Member, ex-officio
(g)	Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board	Member, ex-officio
(h)	Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Government of Bihar	Member, ex-officio
(i)	Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Government of Jharkhand	Member, ex-officio
(j)	Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh	Member, ex-officio
(k)	Principal Secretary, Peyjal, Government of Uttarakhand	Member, ex-officio
(1)	Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Government of West Bengal	Member, ex-officio
(m)	Executive Director (Deputy Director General), National Mission for Clean Ganga	Member, ex-officio
(n)	Executive Director (Technical), National Mission for Clean Ganga	Member, ex-officio
(o)	Executive Director (Finance), National Mission for Clean Ganga	Member, ex-officio
(p)	Executive Director (Projects), National Mission for Clean Ganga	Member, ex-officio
(q)	Executive Director (Administration), National Mission for Clean Ganga	Member- Secretary.

(2) The Executive Committee constituted out of the Governing Council, shall consist of the following members, namely:—

(a)	Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Chairperson, ex-officio;
(b)	Joint Secretary, Department of Expenditure	- Member, ex-officio;
(c)	Representative of NITI Aayog (not below Joint Secretary)	- Member, ex-officio;
(d)	Principal Secretary of the State concerned	- Member, ex-officio;
(e)	Executive Director (Deputy Director General) National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Member, ex-officio;
(f)	Executive Director (Finance) National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Member, ex-officio;
(g)	Executive Director (Technical) National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Member, ex-officio;
(h)	Executive Director (Projects) National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Member, ex-officio;
(i)	Executive Director (Administration) National Mission for Clean Ganga	- Member, ex-officio;

(3) The Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga may, if he considers necessary, may associate with the Executive Committee, any other member from the Governing Council.

(4) The Governing Council may constitute a sub-committee from out of its members and also by associating some technical experts for appraisal of the projects.

(5) The representative of the State concerned shall also be one of the members of sub-committee.

(6) Half of the members of the Governing Council shall form the quorum.

Order - 36.

(1) All approvals up to one thousand crores rupees shall be granted by the Executive Committee and it shall report to the Governing Council at least once in three months.

(2) The Sub-Committee of the Governing Council shall appraise the project only after completion of Third Party Appraisal of the project by technical experts or consortium of recognized institutes or Indian Institutes of Technology, as the case may be.

(3) The Third Party Appraisal shall be for all projects irrespective of their value.

Order - 37. Appointment of Director General and Executive Directors of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

(1) Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga shall be appointed by the Central Government who shall be equivalent to the rank of Additional Secretary or Secretary to the Government of India and his terms and conditions of services shall be determined by Central Government.

(2) The Executive Director (Finance) shall be appointed on deputation from any of the organised accounts services in the Central Government in the rank equivalent to Joint Secretary to Government of India in accordance with the recruitment rules of the said services.

(3) National Mission for Clean Ganga shall have at least one position for each of the Executive Directors in the rank of Joint Secretary to Government of India.

(4) One of the Executive Directors shall be designated as Deputy Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga and he shall be appointed by the Central Government.

(5) None of the nominated members of the Executive Committee shall be below the rank of Joint Secretary in Government of India.

Order - 38. Duty of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

It shall be the duty of the National Mission for Clean Ganga to—

(i) follow the principles laid down in paragraph 4

(ii) comply with the decisions and directions of the National Ganga Council and implement the Ganga Basin Management Plan approved by it;

(iii) co-ordinate all activities for rejuvenation and protection of River Ganga in a time bound manner as directed by the National Ganga Council;

(iv) do all other acts or abstain from doing certain act which may be necessary for rejuvenation and protection of River Ganga and its tributaries.

Order - 39. Functions of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Order, the National Mission for Clean Ganga shall identify or cause to be identified —

(a) the specific threats to the River Ganga in areas in each village and town of such specified District abutting River Ganga and its tributaries, including sewerage and industrial waste, cremation and burial of corpses and disposal of animal carcasses, and threats from commercial, recreational and religious activities;

(b) the type of measures required to address such threat in each village and town of all districts abutting River Ganga and its tributaries;

(c) the specific areas where such remedial actions are required to be taken for rejuvenation and protection of River Ganga and its tributaries.

(d) the measures which may be necessary for reuse of treated water and enter in to Memorandum of Understanding in this regard with the Ministries of the Central Government like Railways, Power, Petroleum and Natural Gas etc., State Governments, autonomous bodies at the Central and State level, recognized Institutes and organizations which the National Mission for Clean Ganga may deem fit.

(2) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall make or cause to make the River Ganga Basin Management Plan along with cost, timelines and allocation of responsibilities, among other things, for rejuvenation and protection of River Ganga and its tributaries in each village and town of specified District abutting River Ganga and its tributaries and execute projects there for.

(3) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall—

(a) cause to be determined the magnitude of ecological flows in the River Ganga and its tributaries required to be maintained at different points in different areas at all times with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries and notifying the same and take or direct all such measures necessary to maintain adequate ecological flows;

(b) cause to be identified places where the environmental flow of water of River Ganga has been modified and take measures for correction thereof to maintain the continuous flow of water for rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries;

(c) identify places of discontinuity of water in River Ganga and its tributaries due to engineered diversion of water or storage of water or by any other means and execute plans in respect thereof or take remedial action therefor;

(d) devise a system to be put in place for continuous monitoring of flow of water and pollution levels in River Ganga and its tributaries;

(e) take all such measures which may be necessary to give effect to the decisions of the National Ganga Council so as to maintain adequate ecological flows in the River Ganga and tributaries;

(f) render assistance or cause them to be rendered by any agency for preparation of detailed project reports or execution of projects for abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga and its tributaries to the State Governments, the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees or local authorities or any person or body, any authority, Board or Corporation;

(g) set up or facilitate setting up or designate and direct one or more existing centers to research, develop and disseminate knowledge base and analytical tools on abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries;

(h) take any other measures which may be necessary for continuous flow of water and abatement of pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries

(4) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall take all such other emergency measures as outlined in paragraph 7.

Order - 40. Establishment of River Ganga Monitoring Centres at suitable locations along River Ganga and its tributaries.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga may identify the places in the River Ganga Basin and establish at such places or designate any existing laboratory or station or institute as Centres to be called the “River Ganga Monitoring Centre” for monitoring amongst other things, continuous flow of water and pollution levels as required under this Order and such Centre shall report immediately to the National Mission for Clean Ganga for taking remedial action therefor.

Order - 41. Powers of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

(1) The National Mission for Clean Ganga being the national agency charged with the role, responsibility and powers to facilitate the task of rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries, under the supervision and direction of the National Ganga Council, shall recommend to the National Ganga Council or Central Government for issuing directions or issue directions itself, to the State Ganga Committees or District Ganga Committees or local authority or any other authority or any person, institution, consortium or agency, as it may decide, for the rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and have the power to take all such measures and discharge such functions as it may deem necessary or expedient for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries so as to rejuvenate the River Ganga to its natural and pristine condition and ensure continuous and adequate flow of water in River Ganga and for protection and management of River Ganga and for matters connected therewith.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-paragraph (1), and save as otherwise provided in this Order, such directions may include all or any of the following matters in the management of River Ganga, namely:—

(a) fulfillment of the functions mentioned in paragraph 55 in accordance with the principles in paragraph 4;

(b) formulate, with the approval of the Central Government, the National policy for effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga;

(c) enter into memorandum of understanding, with the approval of the Central Government, with any country or foreign agency for effective implementation of the River Ganga Basin Management Plan for rejuvenation, protection, prevention, control and abatement of pollution in the River Ganga and its tributaries;

(d) approve, with or without modifications, the River Ganga Basin Management Plan and direct amendments, if any, to be made therein;

(e) supervise and review the progress reports, and issue directions to the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees or local authorities and other authorities in the implementation of the River Ganga Basin Management Plan and any other matter connected with affairs of the River Ganga and its tributaries;

(f) approve the planning, financing and execution of programmes for abatement of pollution in the River Ganga including augmentation of sewerage and effluent treatment infrastructure, catchment area treatment, protection of flood plains, creating public awareness, conservation of aquatic and riparian life and biodiversity and such other measures for promoting environmentally sustainable river rejuvenation;

(g) coordination, monitoring and review of the implementation of various programmes or activities taken up for prevention, control and abatement of pollution and protection and management in the River Ganga and its tributaries;

(h) direct any person or authority to take measures for restoration of river ecology and management in the River Ganga Basin States;

(i) recommend to the Central Government, for creation of special purpose vehicles (whether as a company under the companies Act, 2013(18 of 2013) or Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or a Trust under the Indian Trust Act, 1882 (2 of 1882)), as may be considered appropriate, for implementation of this Order and for the purposes of the Act;

(j) take such measures as may be necessary for the better co-ordination of policy and action to ensure effective prevention, control and abatement of pollution, rejuvenation and protection and management in the River Ganga and its tributaries;

(k) issue such directions to any person or authority, as it may consider necessary, for proper or prompt execution of the projects or cancel such projects or stop release of funds or direct refund of amount already released and assign the same to any other person or authority or Board or Corporation for prompt execution thereof;

(l) direct any person or authority to maintain such books of account or other documents, without prejudice to any law for the time being in force, as may be specified by the National Mission for Clean Ganga;

(m) take such other measures which may be necessary for achievement of prevention, control and abatement of pollution, rejuvenation and protection and management in the River Ganga and its tributaries;

(3) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall have the power to issue directions mentioned under section 5 of the Act.

(4) The National Mission for Clean Ganga may evolve an appropriate mechanism for implementation of its decisions and the decisions of the National Ganga Council.

Order - 42. Giving of prior approval in certain matters.

Every person, the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Protection Committees, local authorities and other authorities shall obtain prior approval of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, on the following matters, relating to River Ganga and any area abutting River Ganga or its tributaries, if required to implement the decisions of the National Ganga Council, namely:—

(a) engineered diversion and storage of water in River Ganga without affecting the flow of water downstream of the River Ganga;

(b) construction of bridges and associated roads and embankments over the River Ganga or at its River Bank or its flood plain area;

(d) construction of jetties;

(e) construction of permanent hydraulic structures for storage or diversion or control of waters or channelisation of River Ganga or its tributaries;

(f) deforestation of hill slopes and notified forest and other eco-sensitive areas;

(g) any other activity which contravenes the principles laid out in paragraph 4 which the National Mission for Clean Ganga may specify.

Order - 43. Financial framework.

(1) The budgetary allocation shall be utilised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga for meeting expenses in connection with the discharge of its functions, objects and purposes and establishment expenditure: Provided that the money received by way of grants, loans and borrowings shall be expended for the specific purpose for which such grants, loans and borrowings have been received.

(2) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual expenditure statement.

(3) The audit of National Mission for Clean Ganga accounts shall be done by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and after completion of annual audit, the audit agency shall furnish annual audit certificate.

(4) The affairs of National Mission for Clean Ganga shall be subject to the control of Central Vigilance Commission and there shall be a Vigilance Officer to look after vigilance related matters.

(5) The annual expenditure statement with the audit report shall be forwarded annually to the Empowered Task Force, and the Central Government for being laid before each House of Parliament.

Order - 44. Engagement of legal experts.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall have proper legal set up for which it may engage legal experts, consultants and legal firms as may be necessary for advising it on legal matters and providing support for discharging its duties.

Order - 45. Scrutiny of reports.

All the reports relating to its activities and reports received from the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees, local authority, Board, Corporation or any person shall be scrutinised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and placed by it along with its views on the matters mentioned in such report before the National Ganga Council for soliciting its guidance thereon, if required.

Order - 46. Consolidated report of Ganga Safety audit.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall prepare and submit a consolidated report of the Ganga safety audits of River Ganga to the National Ganga Council along with the remedial action taken thereon and also make available the same in public domain and exhibit the same at its website.

Order - 47. Powers of National Mission for Clean Ganga to call for information, conduct inspection, publish reports, etc.

(1) Where the National Mission for Clean Ganga considers it expedient so to do under section 5 of the Act, it may, by order in writing.—

(a) call upon any State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Protection Committees, local authority, other authority, Board, Corporation or person, who has been allotted any project for execution or connected with such project or utilisation of funds, at any time, to furnish in writing or make public for dissemination such information or explanation relating to such project allotted for execution or executed or utilisation of fund allotted as the National Mission for Clean Ganga may require; or

(b) appoint one or more persons or any authority to make an inquiry in relation to project allotted for execution or executed or utilisation of fund allotted; or

(c) direct any of its officers or employees or the officers or employees of the Central Government or State Government or any other authority to inspect the books of account or other documents of the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees, local authority, other authority, Board, Corporation or person related to any project allotted for execution or executed or utilisation of funds; or

(d) require any person, officer, State Government or authority to furnish to it any reports, returns, statistics, accounts and other information and such person, officer, State Government or other authority shall be bound to do so.

Order - 48. Financing and implementation model.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall develop and constantly refine financial models that would improve the performance and sustainability of projects, and which can be adopted by the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees, local authority, other authority or person for abatement of pollution and rejuvenation, protection and management of the River Ganga.

Order - 49. Preparation of consolidated reports.

(1) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall, on the basis of the reports and other information forwarded by the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees, local authorities, other authorities, Board, Corporation or person, prepare a consolidated report every year indicating therein in respect of each specified District abutting River Ganga and its tributaries.—

(a) the status of the plans being executed and measures taken by them and any other activity relating to the health of River Ganga and its tributaries;

(b) the quality of water in River Ganga and its tributaries and remedial action in respect thereof;

(d) condition of River Bed and flood plains and habitat in the specified District;

(e) remedial measures taken on the complaints received from public by the District Ganga Committee or local authorities;

(f) threats remaining to be addressed by then with remedial action proposed therefor;

(g) report if any as reported by Ganga safety auditors;

(h) all other information relevant about the health of River Ganga and its tributaries.

(2) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall submit a consolidated report referred to in sub-paragraph (1) after review thereof to the Empowered Task Force along with remedial action thereof.

Order - 50. Annual report.

(1) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall, within three months of the end of every year, prepare an annual report of all work undertaken by it and by the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga, the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees, concerned local authorities, other authorities, Board, Corporation or persons during the immediately preceding year.

(2) The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall include under separate parts in its annual report referred to in sub-paragraph (1), all works undertaken by it and the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga, the State Governments, the State Ganga Committees, District Ganga Committees, concerned local authorities, other authorities, Board, Corporation or person, and forward the said annual report to the National Ganga Council and the Central Government and also make available in public domain and exhibit at its website.

Order - 51. Constitution of Committees.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga may, constitute one or more River Ganga Management Committees from amongst its members and such experts in the field of rivers or water as it may consider appropriate for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Order.

Order - 52. Soliciting guidance.

In case any difficulty arises in implementing decisions of the National Ganga Council or the provisions of this Order, it shall be duty of the National Mission for Clean Ganga to solicit the guidance of the National Ganga Council and take appropriate action accordingly.

Order - 53. Constitution of District Ganga Protection Committees.

(1) The Central Government shall immediately after the commencement of this Order, in consultation with concerned State Ganga Committee, by notification constitute, in every specified District abutting River Ganga and its tributaries in the States mentioned in paragraph 2, the “District Ganga Committees” for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in the River Ganga.

(2) Every District Ganga Committee in each specified District shall consist of the following members, namely:—
(a) the District Collector in the specified District;	- Chairperson, ex-officio;
(b) not more than two nominated representatives from Municipalities and Gram Panchayats of the specified District nominated by the State Government.	- Members;
(c) one representative each of the Public Works, Irrigation, Public Health Engineering, and Rural Drinking Water Departments, and State Pollution Control Board working in the specified District abutting River Ganga to be nominated by the District Collector	- Member, ex-officio;
(d) two environmentalists associated with River Ganga protection activities and one representative of local industry association in the specified District to be nominated by the District Collector	- Members,;
(e) one Divisional Forest Officer of the specified District	- Member, ex-officio
(f) one District official to be nominated by the District Collector.	- Member;

(2) The District Collector shall be the Chairperson of the District Ganga Committee and the Divisional Forest Officer shall be the Convener of the District Ganga Committee.

(3) The District Ganga Committees shall meet at such times and at such places as the Chairperson of that Committee may decide and exercise such powers and functions as may be conferred under this Order:

Provided that at least one meeting of the District Ganga Committee shall be held every three months.

(4) A non ex-officio member may resign his office by giving notice in writing thereof to the Central Government or to the District Collector concerned, as the case may be, and shall cease to be a member on his resignation being accepted by the Government or the District Collector concerned, as the case may be.

Order - 54. Superintendence, direction and control of District Ganga Committee.

The superintendence, direction and control of the management of the District Ganga Committee (including financial and administrative matters) shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, vest in the National Mission for Clean Ganga which may be exercised by it either directly or through the State Ganga Committee or any of its officer or any other authority specified by it.

Order - 55. Functions and powers of District Ganga Committees.

(1) Every District Ganga Committee shall discharge functions and exercise powers for rejuvenation, protection, restoration and rehabilitation of River Ganga and its tributaries in each specified District as laid out in paragraph 6 and 7 as per the principles specified in paragraph 4.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) for rejuvenation and protection and restoration or rehabilitation of degraded areas abutting River Ganga and its tributaries and subject to other provisions of this Order and rules made thereunder, every District Ganga Committee shall have the following powers and functions in relation to River Ganga and its tributaries abutting in the area in specified District, namely:—

(a) identifying activities which may be threats in the area of specified District abutting the River Ganga for protection of River Ganga and its tributaries or its River bed and making a plan for remedial action and take remedial action in respect thereof;

(b) taking remedial action at its own end for protection of River Ganga and its tributaries or its River bed abutting in the specified District (excluding enforcement of the provisions of this Order)

(c) in the event of its inability to take remedial action, reporting (electronically as well as by sending written communication in hard copy) to the National Mission for Clean Ganga and concerned State Government, the State Ganga Committee, as the case may be, for issue of direction for protection of River Ganga and to formulate appropriate management or remedial actions.

(d) taking suitable administrative and other measures, to give effect to the provisions of this Order so as to prevent the environmental pollution in the River Ganga and its tributaries, not being inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, or any law for the time being in force.

(3) In case, the District Ganga Committee is of the opinion that any contravention has been made of any other law for the time being in force or in respect of provisions of this Order, it shall take appropriate action in accordance with the law for the time being in force.

(4) The District Ganga Committee shall take all such emergency measures as specified in paragraph 7.

Order - 56. Designation of Nodal Officer.

(1) Every District Ganga Committee shall nominate as Nodal Officer for the purposes of this Order —

(a) the Sarpanch of Gram Sabha of every village in the areas abutting the River Ganga and its tributaries;

(b) in case of an area, not being village abutting the River Ganga, the Chairperson of Municipality Planning Committee or Metropolitan Planning Committee or Chairperson of [8][any local authority].

(2) Every Nodal Officer nominated under sub-paragraph (1) shall take measures to prevent the pollution of River Ganga and its tributaries and take remedial action for protection of River Ganga and its tributaries or their River bed abutting in such village or other area, as the case may be, of which he is the Nodal Officer and in case of his failure to do so, he shall report the violation of this Order to the Chairperson of the District Ganga Committee for remedial action.

(3) After receipt of the report under sub-paragraph (2), the Chairperson of the District Ganga Committee shall take remedial action for protection of River Ganga or its River bed abutting the specified District.

Order - 57. Preparation of plans.

(1) Every District Ganga Committee shall prepare its plan for protection of River Ganga and its tributaries and their River bed abutting the specified District and submit the same to the National Mission for Clean Ganga for its approval.

(2) The plan under sub-paragraph (1) shall include the activities to be undertaken by the District Ganga Committee for protection, control and abatement of environmental pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries and their River Bed area abutting the specified District which may be recommended by the State Government, State Ganga Committees, the National Mission for Clean Ganga, any other authority or Board and the expenditure involved for such plan and time within which such activities shall be completed.

Order - 58. Preparation of budget and maintenance of accounts.

Every District Ganga Committee shall prepare its budget for every financial year indicating therein the funds required and purposes for which such funds shall be spent and the time limit within which the activity mentioned in the budget shall be completed and submit to concerned State Ganga Committee under intimation to National Mission for Clean Ganga and such Committee shall ensure proper maintenance of accounts as directed by National Mission for Clean Ganga, for audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other agency appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and such accounts shall be subject to inspection by National Ganga Council, National Mission for Clean Ganga, State Ganga Committee or any of their appointed entities.

Order - 59. Monthly and annual reports.

(1) Every District Ganga Committee shall, submit monthly and annual reports to the National Ganga Council, National Mission for Clean Ganga and State Ganga Committee as directed by National Mission for Clean Ganga within specified timelines.

(2) In addition to the annual report referred to in sub-paragraph (1), the District Ganga Committee shall furnish to the National Mission for Clean Ganga at such time and in such form and manner it may direct to furnish such other returns, statements and other particulars in regard to any proposed or existing programme for the River Ganga Basin Plan for the abutting area in the specified District.

Order - 60. Budget allocation.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga shall consolidate and prepare the budget requirement and submit the same to [9][the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation].

Order - 61. Direction by Central Government.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, it shall be lawful for the Central Government to issue directions in writing to the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India, or the State Government or the State Ganga Committees, the National Mission for Clean Ganga or District Ganga Committees, or local authority or other authority or statutory bodies or any of its officers or employees, as the case may be, to facilitate or assist in the rejuvenation, protection and management of River Ganga and its tributaries in such manner as it may direct, and such Ministry or Department or Authority or Mission or Board, Committee or Government or statutory body, officer or employee shall be bound to comply with such directions.

Order - 62. Making of complaint under section 19 of the Act.

All the authorities constituted under this Order or their officers authorised by such authorities may make complaint before the court under section 19 of the Act for taking cognizance of any offence under the said section.

Order - 63. Order to be in addition to other laws.

The provisions of this Order are without prejudice to the discharge of functions by any local authority or other authority or Board or corporation or any person for taking measures for the purposes of effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of the River Ganga and its protection and management and any other law for the time being in force.

SCHEDULE

[See paragraph 20]

COMPOSITION OF STATE GANGA COMMITTEES

Serial No.	Name of the State Ganga Committee	Composition of the State Ganga Committees
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	(Name) State Ganga Protection and Management Committee	(a) Chief Secretary, Government of State of (Name) - Chairperson, ex-officio;
		(b) Principal Secretary, Department of Finance, Government of State of (Name) - Member, ex-officio;
		(c) Principal Secretary, Department of Urban Development and Housing, Government of (Name) - Member, ex-officio;
		(d Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Forests, Government of State of (Name) - Member, ex-officio
		(e) Principal Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Government of State of (Name) - Member, ex-officio;
		(f) Principal Secretary, Department of Public Health Engineering, Government of State of (Name) - Member, ex-officio
		(g) Chairman, (Name) State Pollution Control Board - Member, ex-officio;
		(h) Chief Executive Officer of executing agency in the State of (Name) - Member, ex-officio;
		(i) Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of State of (Name) - Member, ex-officio;
		(j) not more than five experts from relevant fields to be nominated by the Government of (Name) - Members

[1] Subs. for “MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT, AND GANGA REJUVENATION” by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019).

[2] Subs. for “Ministry of Water Resources” by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019).

[3] Subs. by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019).

[4] Subs. for “the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation” by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019).

[5] Subs. by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019). Prior to substitution it read as:

“(a) Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	- Chairperson, ex-officio;
(b) Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	- Vice-Chairperson, ex-officio;
(c) Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	- Member, ex-officio”

[6] Subs. for “the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation” by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019).

[7] Subs. by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019). Prior to substitution it read as:

“(b)	Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation	Member, ex-officio
(c)	Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development	Member, ex-officio”

[8] Subs. for “any local authority, as the Chairperson of the District Ganga Committee” by S.O. 1793(E), dated 21-5-2019 (w.e.f. 22-5-2019).

[9] Subs. for “the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation” by S.O. 3163(E), dated 2-9-2019 (w.e.f. 2-9-2019).

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