New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured that the Government would get passed much sought-after Ganga Protection and Management Bill during the next session of Parliament even as hunger strike by environmentalist Prof G D Agrawal for the cause of the holy river continued in Kankhal-Haridwar for 90th day on Wednesday.
Addressing a three-day Ganga Meet at the Gandhi Shanti Pratisthan here on Tuesday evening, Mr Gadkari also assured that while finalising the draft of the Bill, the Centre would try to accommodate the expectations and aspirations of the agitating environmentalists and activists (like Prof Agrawal).
Briefing UNI over the outcome of the meet, Tarun Bharat Sangh chief and Stockholm Water Award winner Dr Rajendra Singh today said, "We on behalf of Prof Agrawal (Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand) also raised the demands of formation of Ganga Bhakta Parishad and halting works on hydro-power projects along the Alaknanda and Mandakini till modification in design of the dams for ensuring environment friendly flow in the Ganga".
However, no assurance came from the Minister on the twin demands, said Mr Singh who has closely been associated with the 3-month long stir by the 87-year old IIT professor-turned-saint.
Hence, the fasting Agrawal refused to break his protracted hunger strike, Mr Singh added.
The meet that concluded yesterday was attended by activists from 11 states of the country, who were concerned about looming threat on the life of the octogenerain activist who lost around 20 Kg weight during his 90-day long fast, he said.
Gandhian thinkers SN Subba Rao, PV Rajagopal, the Gandhi Shanti Pratisthan Chairman Kumar Prashant, Magsaysay Award winner activists MC Mehta and Sandip Pandey, former Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board Pratyush Tyagi, IIT Delhi Prof Atul Bal and retired professor S K Gupta were among those who participated in the event.
UNI SS SV 1136