New Delhi: An Orissa-cadre IAS officer UP Singh has been appointed to the newly-created River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authority as its additional secretary by the Centre.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Saturday approved his appointment to the newly-created authority Saturday. He was earlier the additional secretary in the ministry of water resources, river resources and Ganga rejuvenation. Before moving to the water resources ministry, Singh had worked with the ministry of petroleum and natural gas.
The 1985-batch IAS officer before going on central deputation as joint secretary, ministry of steel on April 27, 2011, had worked as the principal secretary, agriculture department in the Orissa government. He has experience of working in sectors like petroleum, surface transport, revenue, social justice and commercial taxes among others.
The Cabinet had approved the formation of a new body for Ganga protection. It has been decided to grant a mission status to the new body with powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The National Council for River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) will have the Prime Minister as its Chairperson for overall responsibility for supervision of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of Ganga Basin.
The body is likely to formulate an action plan with specific activities, milestones, and timeliness for achievement of rejuvenation and protection of Ganga. It will comply with the decisions and directions of the National Ganga Council and implement the Ganga Basin Management Plan approved by it, co-ordinate and carry out all activities necessary for rejuvenation and protection of Ganga and its tributaries. PNN
