Twitter
Advertisement

NGT pulls up MoEF over Ulhas river pollution

The NGT, in its order on March 30, had asked the MoEF to first issue a show cause notice to the MPCB.

Latest News
article-main
Untreated chemical effluents from various industries are released into Ulhas river
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), while pulling up the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), has warned that the ministry's secretary could face arrest and a heavy fine if the MoEF fails to submit an action-taken report against the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in the next 10 days with regard to a petition filed against increasing pollution in the Ulhas river.

The western bench of the tribunal is currently hearing the petition, filed by NGO Vanshakti, which states that the chemical effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in Dombivli-Ambernath MIDC are not functioning properly and the untreated chemical effluents from various industries were being directly released into the Ulhas river, causing irreversible damage to the riverine ecosystem.

The NGT, in its order on March 30, had asked the MoEF to first issue a show cause notice to the MPCB. However, upset with the laxity shown by the MoEF, the tribunal, in its order dated April 29, has issued a warning that under the given circumstances, it can initiate action under Sections 26 and 28 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

"The orders of this tribunal are not to be ignored and have to be scrupulously complied with, and any erring officer or person is bound to face penal action under Section 26 of the Act. Therefore, unless it is brought on record that there is no deliberate neglect, we will be constrained to initiate proceedings under Section 26 to prosecute by imposing the penalty of imprisonment for the period and fine prescribed thereunder. Besides, the head of the department (MoEF secretary) shall also be prosecuted under Section 28 of the Act," stated the order, adding that the tribunal feels that this action can be deferred in order to give another chance to the authorities to comply with the directions and give them 10 final days to complete the process of taking action against the MPCB and file a report.

In fact, the order given by the bench headed by justice Dr Jawad Rahim and expert member Dr Ajay A Deshpande was evident enough to show how upset the bench was. "We are now realising why the Central Pollution Control Board had to approach this tribunal for appropriate directions. We understand the predicament which it was facing after the inaction on the part of the MPCB and MoEF," states the order.

Stalin D, director of projects for Vanashakti, said that the government authorities can't drag their feet on the issue. "On one hand, Maharashtra is facing its worst drought and on the other, it's showing complete indifference to stop a river, which was earlier used to supply fresh water, from dying by allowing it to be polluted by industries," he said, adding that the MoEF should really pull up the MPCB for failing to do its primary job.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement