GANGA-UMA 2 LAST

(REOPENS DES29) (REOPENS DES29) Later, Bharti launched various projects under the NamamiGange programme in Varanasi. Alleging misutilisation of funds meant for cleaning theGanga river during the previous UPA regime, she said, "Ourgovernment will not let even a single penny go waste unlikethe previous UPA government that failed in properly utilisingthe Ganga Action Plan (GAP) funds." She laid the foundation of Ramna sewage treatment plantto be set up at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Rs 16 crore will be spent for rejuvenation of the Assiriver and Rs 63 crore for renovation of 84 ghats of the city,she said. She said a DPR for establishing 12 crematoriums in thecity has also been prepared. Bharti laid emphasis on shifting to organic farming onthe lands on the banks of river as fertilisers were pollutingthe river water. Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said his ministrywas fully cooperating with the water resources ministry tocomplete the task of cleaning the Ganga river. PTI CORRSMN