Coal output levy to boost Ganga cleaning

At the end of the last year, the clean energy fund had more than Rs 3,000 crore in its kitty. Ganga cleaning is the only programme in the water sector that has received a major boost in funding. The Water Resources Ministry has seen major cut in its budget, mainly because the money that was being routed through it to the state governments for some of the schemes is now proposed to be given directly to the states following the change in the revenue devolution arrangement in 14th Finance Commission recommendations.

The National River Conservation Plan, which is about preservation of rivers other than those in the Ganga basin, has also seen a nominal increase in its budget, from Rs 537 crore to Rs 550 crore. Jaitley has also made a provision of Rs 100 crore for beautification of ghats and riverfront development.