National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

Learn about the National Mission for Clean Ganga, India’s flagship program aimed at restoring and conserving the Ganga River through pollution control, river rejuvenation, and sustainable development.

Context: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has granted Tax Exemption to the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is a registered society under the Ministry of Jal Shakti (GOI).
It acted as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.
NGRBA was dissolved on 7th October 2016 and was replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga (referred to as National Ganga Council).

Aim of NMCG

To ensure effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga.
To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.

Legal Provision

NMCG is now notified under Clause 46A of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Clause 46A allows income tax exemption to bodies, authorities, boards, trusts or commissions established under Central/State Acts for specific purposes.

National Ganga Council

The National Ganga Council replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).
Chairman: Prime Minister.
Members: Chief Ministers of five Ganga basin states, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, along with some Union Ministers.
It is tasked with supervising pollution prevention and rejuvenation of the River Ganga Basin, including the Ganga and its tributaries.
It is formed under the Environment Protection Act (EPA 1986).