THE CENTRAL and State/local bodies will share the cost of works under the river cleaning programme on a 70:30 ratio, with public contributing not less than 10 per cent. This was decided at the 10th meeting of the National River Conservation here today.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was attended by Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Orissa and Karnataka and nine ministers from different States, said Union Environment Minister T R Baalu briefing newsmen.
He said five per cent of the operation and maintenance cost will also borne by the States.
It was also decided that the National Lake Conservation Plan would receive the same priority as the rivers. Coastal towns, which were significant ecologically, religiously, or culturally will be given priority, he added.
The Authority took up 149 towns for river cleaning schemes with Rs 3,080 crore funds in the Eighth and Ninth Plan, but 40 towns have not been taken up as yet.