The National Green Tribunal today came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government for what it termed as inaction and unsatisfactory implementation of its order to provide clean drinking water in six western districts of the state.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said, it is really unfortunate that the state is not able to provide even safe potable water to the residents of the state. It said, samples of water show contamination of ground water.

The Bench slammed the state government, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and UP Pollution Control Board for risking the lives of children in the villages of Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Saharanpur districts.

The green panel directed the UP government and Jal Nigam to take a clear stand on the quality of ground water. The matter has now been listed for next hearing on February 16.