The Centre on Tuesday asked states to ensure strict vigilance and check future incidences of people dumping bodies in the Ganges and its tributaries.
In a letter to District Ganga Committees which are chaired by district magistrates or collectors, the National Mission for Clean Ganga also asked the authorities to dispose unidentified bodies of suspected Covid-19 victims in accordance with safety protocols.
It has also asked them to submit an Action Taken Report in the next 14 days.
71 bodies of suspected Covid-19 victims have so far washed up on the bank of Ganga in Bihar's Buxar district.