ABSTRACT

Environment and Forests Department – Implementation of the Scheme viz. “Green Belt for Abatement of Pollution and Environment Improvement” in Five Cities / Towns during 1999-2000 – Approval and sanction of the Government of India – Sanction and Release of funds – orders – issued. 

 ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (FR.6) DEPARTMENT

G.O.MS.No. 30                     

                                                                             Dated: 14.2.2000

1. From the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Lr. No. P. /84406 /99, dt. 10.12.99.

2. The State Government’s D.O.Lr.NO. 31883 / FR. 6/99 dt. 27.12.99

3. From the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests Lr.No. 
   O17015/29/99 – CPW, dt. 31.12.99

4. From the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board Ministry of Environment and
    Forests, New Delhi Lr. No. B.12015 / 91/99 AS, dt. 6.1.2000 & 14.1.2000.

                                                                                                Read again:

5. G.O.Ms.No.24, Environment and Forests Department, dt. 7.2.2000

 ORDER:

            The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests sent project proposals for seeking financial assistance towards implementing tree planting programmes for greening the cities and towns with an avowed objective of enhancing the living conditions of the people and to improve ambient air and water quality in those areas.  The proposal was forwarded to the Government of India requesting full Central assistance for implementation f the scheme in Cities and Towns of this State including the towns covered under National River Conservation Programme.

             2. The Government of India in their letter third read above have sanctioned the scheme at a total cost of Rs. 4.557 Crores and conveyed their sanction for release of an amount of Rs. 4.00 Crores to the Central Pollution control Board for implementation of the project proposal viz. “Green Belt for Abatement of Pollution and Environmental Improvement” in five Cities / Towns of Tami Nadu viz. Greater Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem and Tirunelveli, out of Central share of water cess (upto20%) during 1999-2000 subject to certain conditions stipulated there in.

             3. In its letter fourth read above, the Central Pollution control Board has informed that the Competent Authority in Board has approved the release of Rs.4.00 Crores for the project proposal sanctioned by the Government of India Ministry of Environment and forests and has accordingly sent a Demand Draft bearing No.015835, dated 14.1.2000 for Rs.4.00 Crores, in favour of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board payable at Chennai.  The balance amount of Rs.55.70 Lakhs will be borne by the Government of Tamil Nadu Environment and Forests Department.

             4. The Government of India have also approved this State Government’s proposal regarding the number of saplings to be planted, financial outlay etc. for each city. A uniform unit cost of Rs.155/- per sapling has been approved by the Government of India with the following breakup details:- 

The programmes of the projects are to be implemented as per the “tentative schedule of operations” annexed for a period of one year from January 2000.

            5. The State Government after careful consideration of the terms and conditions stipulated in the Government of India’s letter third read above have decided to accept them for implementation of the programmes of the project in five Cities / Towns for a period of one year commencing from January 2000 at a total cost of Rs.4.557 Crores (Rs.4.00 Crores Government of India’s share and Rs.55.7 Lakhs from State Funds) as detailed in paras 2 and 3 above.  The Government accordingly permit the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Forest Department to take up implementation of the project viz. “Green Belt for Abatement of Pollution control and Environment Improvement” in five cities / towns, for a period of one year as per the schedule of operation s annexed by utilising the central share of funds released amounting to Rs.4 Crores (Rupees four Crores) and State share of Rs.55.70 Lakhs as detailed below:-

             6. The Member-Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is authorised to release the funds to the user department, as per the expenditure approved by the State Level Steering Committee constituted by the Government in the G.O. fifth read above.  The implementation shall be as per the tentative schedule of operations annexed to this order and as per the terms and conditions laid down below:-

1. (I)               The Sanctioned amount shall be utilised for the above project only in the five cities/towns viz. Chennai, Salem, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli and the amount released is for the specific purpose and should be exclusively spent for the purpose for which it has been sanctioned within the stipulated period of time.  Utilisation of unspent amount from one financial year to next financial year would require specific approval of the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests.
2. (II)             The Member-Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board shall furnish to the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board quarterly progress reports and utilization Certificates within Sixty days form the close of financial year ie. by 31st May of each year for the amount released during the previous financial year.  Audited statement of Accounts shall also be furnished when the accounts are finalized.
3. (III)           The Steering Committee constituted by the State Government will serve as a decision support system and advisory body for implementation and monitoring the project.
4. (IV)           The ‘tentative schedule of operations’ annexed for implementation of the project shall be subject to some modifications as decided by the State Government.  All possible efforts shall be made to complete the project within one year.
5. (V)             It shall be ensured that the assets created under the project shall be handed over to the appropriate authorities/bodies responsible for the area on whose lands the plantation would have been raised and the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Central pollution control Board are informed.

            7. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/ Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is requested to send necessary proposals for inclusion of the expenditure of Rs.55.70 Lakhs in the Budget Estimate 2000 – 2001 which is earmarked as state’s share.

             8. The Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board shall ensure that maintenance of accounts, collection of utilization certificates, and quarterly progress reports are obtained promptly from the user departments and forwarded to the Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi which will furnish them to the ministry of Environment and Forests.

                 9. This order issues with the concurrence of Finance Department by its U.O.No.123/FS/P/2000, dt. 14.02.2000

 (BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

 S.RAJARETHINAM
SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

 TO

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chennai – 15.

The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Chennai – 32.

The Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.

The Accountant General, Chennai – 10/35

The Pay and Accounts Officer (North)(South), Chennai All District Collectors

The Commissioner of Municipal Administration, Chennai – 5

            (Concerned Commissioner of Corporation)

The Director of Town Panchayat, Chennai – 108

The Director of Rural Development, Chennai – 15

Copy to

The Municipal Administration and Water Supply/Finance Department Chennai – 9         (AH&F/BG.I&II)

The Planning and Development Department, Chennai –9

The Special Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Chennai – 9

The Special Secretary to Hon’ble Minister (Public Works & Forest) Chennai – 9

The Private Secretary to Secretary to Government, Environment and Forests Department, Chennai-9

 ANNEXURE

F.NO.O-17015/29/99 – CPW
Dated: 31st December, 1999

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PROJECT ‘GREEN BELT FOR ABATEMENT OF POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT IN THE FIVE CITIES/TOWNS OF TAMIL NADU.

 S. RAJARETHINAM
SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT