Ganga River Basin Management Plan-2015 The consortium of seven IITs has submitted its report Ganga River Basin Management Plan-2015" (GRBMP-2015) to the Ministry Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The report is under consideration in consultation with other Ministries. According to the Plan, the Major issues in Ganga river basin are:- 1. Over-use of natural resources of the basin 2. Discharge of pollutants into terrestrial and aquatic environments 3. Reduction in water holding capacities and replenishment of water bodies 4. Mutilation of rivers by piecemeal engineering operations 5. Threats to geological processes in the basin. The expenditure on cleaning Ganga during 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 (till 31st Oct., 2015) is Rs.191.52 crore, Rs.303.95 crore, Rs.326.00 crore and Rs. 760.00 crores respectively. This information was given by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. Samir/jk
