For the success of Namami Gange, the flagship programme of the Union Government to rejuvenate the Ganga, the Union Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation are joining hands with Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The Ministries will formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard. The MoU intends to develop skilled manpower for laying sewerage pipeline, plumbing works, construction of toilets, civil masonry works, waste collection and its disposal activities. It will also develop skills for making, packaging and promoting products from waste materials generated from ritualistic practices like flowers, leaves, coconuts, hair and associated plastic bags and plastic bottles and so on. The MoU, which will remain in effect for a period of three years and can be extended as per the discretion of both the ministries. It will also help in developing skills for operation and maintenance of pumps and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). Notably, the decision to sign MoU to develop skilled manpower for Namami Gange has come a day after the government was pulled up by the National Green Tribunal for failing to clean Ganga even after spending Rs. 7304.64 crore upto March, 2017 since 1986.
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As per the MoU, the Ministry of Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation shall develop the market for reuse/recycle of treated wastewater to be released from Sewage Treatment Plants/Effluent Treatment Plants (STP/ETPs) for various non-potable purposes. Non-potable water is cannot be used for consumption, but can still be used for many other purposes like toilet cleaning, dust suppression and landscape irrigation, depending on its quality.
The Ministries will also ensure necessary coordination and support from the state governments and state level implementing agencies for various activities to be undertaken by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship as part of Namami Gange programme. The Ministry will also mobilise resources for creation of Pradhan Mantri Namami Gange Kaushal Kendras in 60 districts covered under Namami Gange programme, which has a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore for the next five years. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras are iconic state-of-the-art skill development centres with modern infrastructure to facilitate training and skill development.
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Furthermore, a survey will be conducted in the region for identifying the possible skill development activities that are needed over and above the ones specified, in conjunction with National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the implementation wing of National Ganga Council which was set up in October 2016 under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities order 2016.
(With inputs from IANS)
