Ganga activist G D Agrawal ends fast after govt's promise

Environment scientist-activist G D Agrawal on Friday broke his fast after the government promised to convene a meeting of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led National Ganga River Basin Authority in March.

Agrawal, who was on a fast-unto-death since March 8 to press for the cleaning of Ganga, decided to take water and liquid food after he was informed about the government's decision to convene the meeting of NGRBA on April 17 by Union ministers Sriprakash Jaiswal and V Narayanasamy.

"I will keep taking liquids but will not consume any solid food till any concrete work happens for cleaning of Ganga river," the 80-year-old activist told reporters at AIIMS, where he was admitted two days ago in a critical condition.

Demanding that the issue of Ganga be put on the "priority list" of the government, Agrawal said, "I am not in condition to wait too long. I would be happy if it happens before the Prayag Kumbh scheduled to take place in January, 2013."

Attacking the government's slow approach in preserving the river, he said, "All rivers can not be placed in the same category with Ganga. Scientific studies have proven that Ganga water has several qualities. But the government's attitude can be ascertained as one minister increases the (rail) fare and the other reduces it."

The biggest problem faced by Ganga is that 90 per cent of its water has been sucked by dams and other illegal activities taking place on its banks, said Agrawal, who is also known as Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand.

Stating that the prime minister has taken a note of Sanand's fast, Jaiswal said, "A consensus emerged that the next meeting of NGRBA will take place in New Delhi on April 17 and a delegation of the Ganga Seva Abhiyanam will be invited as special invitee there."

The agenda proposed by Ganga Seva Abhiyanam will be discussed in the NGRBA meeting and it shall be placed for discussion on priority, the minister said.