ORDER : 1. Heard learned amicus curiae, learned counsel appearing for Union of India and States of U.P, Uttaranchal, West Bengal and learned counsel for C.P.C.B. 2. There was large-scale pollution caused by untreated sewage being let into the riven by the various municipalities/nagar palikas and also by the industries on either side of the river letting their toxic untreated industrial effluents into the river. The river Ganges passes through five States and there are about 29 major cities, 23 medium cities and about 48 towns. The scheme for cleaning Ganges started in the year 1985 and the Union Government allocated about Rs. 949 crores. Ganga Action Plan (Phase I), Rs. 451 crores were released by the Government of India to the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. For Ganga Action Plan (Phase II) Rs. 279 crores has been released to five States - U.P., Bihar, Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and West Bengal. But the results have been far from satisfactory. 3. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India in the report for the year ending March, 2000, was stated that though the funds have been allocated to the various States under the Ganga Action Plan, so far they have not filed the utilisation certificates and the scheme as such has not progressed well. Many defects and misutilisations have been pointed out by the C&AG in his Report. 4. The Public Accounts Committee (2005-2006) in their 26th Report before the Parliament has also stated that there are shortfalls in respect of achievement of overall targets and there is urgent need to further strengthen the monitoring of work. 5. Many defects and misutilisations have been pointed out by the C&AG in his Report. 4. The Public Accounts Committee (2005-2006) in their 26th Report before the Parliament has also stated that there are shortfalls in respect of achievement of overall targets and there is urgent need to further strengthen the monitoring of work. 5. In the affidavit filed on behalf of National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), MoEF, it was stated that the main objective of the Ganga Action Plan, now a part of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is to check pollution in rivers and improve the quality of the water by the following pollution abatement schemes : (i) interception and Diversion (I&D) works to capture the raw sewage flowing into the river through open drains and divert them for treatment; (ii) Installation of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for treating the diverted sewage; (iii)Putting in place Low cost Sanitation (LCS) works to prevent open defecation on river banks; (iv) Establishing Electric and/or Improved Wood based Crematoria (EC&IWC) to conserve the use of wood and help in ensuring proper cremation of bodies brought to the burning ghats; (v) Afforestation and tree planting; (vi) Creation of public awareness; and (vii)Taking up River Front Development (RFD) works such as improvement of bathing ghats etc. 6. It is evident that the major work has to be done by the concerned Sates and Municipalities/Nagar palikas. The Pollution Control Board of the respective States should also ensure that the various industries which are letting effluents into the river are prevented from discharging untreated effluents in the river. The monitoring carried on by the PCBs of the respective States is far from satisfactory. The Central Government, being the funding authority, should have monitored whether the work have been carried out properly and the funds were utilised for the work. 7. Many of the States have not so far filed the utilisation certificates for the money utilisation. Even the State that have filed utilisation certificate have not disclosed the full particulars. Proper affidavits with details should be filed within a period of eight weeks. 8. If further funds are allocated by the Union of India, the Planning Commission Member In-charge of Water Resources may verify whether those funds are duly utilised for the States effectively. Even the State that have filed utilisation certificate have not disclosed the full particulars. Proper affidavits with details should be filed within a period of eight weeks. 8. If further funds are allocated by the Union of India, the Planning Commission Member In-charge of Water Resources may verify whether those funds are duly utilised for the States effectively. The States of Bihar, U.P. Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, West Bengal are directed to file further affidavits indicating the progress in this regard and also utilisation certificates of funds in respect of already received by them. We request the Central Pollution Control Board, Union of India and the amicus curiae to suggest what further steps could be taken to improve the situation. 9. List in the month of March, 2008. I.A.No.343 10. The Central Pollution Control Board is directed to file latest Report (2007 Report) regarding Environmental Quality in the Polluted Singrauli Area.