New Delhi, Apr 23 (LAB) The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday imposed an interim fine of Rupees 100 crores on the Rajasthan Government for not preparing a comprehensive plan to monitor compliance with the environmental norms and allowing water pollution by textile printing industries adversely affecting the water quality of Dravyavati River and quality of vegetables and other crops grown on nearby farms.
The Bench of Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel, Judicial Member Sudhir Agarwal, Expert Members Dr A. Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad said that Despite the Supreme Court’s earlier order in Paryavaran Suraksha (2017) case in which the Apex court had fixed timelines of three years from the date of judgment i.e. upto February 2020, no action has been taken, by the government including fixing accountability for the delay in proper working of CETP for treatment of effluent of the industrial waste.
The NGT passed its order while hearing Two Petioners Salman Qasmi and Agnimitra Trivedi who said that despite earlier directions of the Rajasthan High Court and various judgements of Supreme Court passed on March 7, 2003 in Vijay Singh Punia v. RPCB & Ors. (CPW 2075/1994) (High Court), order date 30-04-2009, Civil Appeal No. 207/2005, Sanganer Kapda Rangai Chhapai Association, (Supreme Court), order dated 26-03-2015 in WP (PIL No. 9497/2007), P.N Mandola v. State of Rajasthan and others (High Court of Rajasthan), order dated 03-08-2017 in D.B Civil Writ petition 625/2017- Mukash Meena v. State of Rajasthan an others and Review Petition no. 304/2018 (High Court), order dated 03-10-2017 in O.A.No. 134/2013, Lakhan Singh v. RSPCB and others (NGT), orders dated 15-05-2022 and 24-05-2022 in Civil Miscellaneous Application (347/2018) filed by RIICO in CWP 2075/1994 Vijay Singh Punia v. RPCB and others and Civil Writ Petition no. 5965/2022, Sanganer Kapda Ranagi Chappai Association (High Court), No action has been taken by the State government and has failed to prepare a comprehensive plan to monitor compliance of the environmental norms.
The petitioner stated that there are a total of 835 textile units, 775 units on agricultural land and 60 on commercial plots of land. Thus, untreated effluents are going into the river in violation of the law and no action is taken against rampant violations.
The NGT bench said, “We consider it appropriate to fix interim compensation of Rs. 100 crores to be paid by the State of Rajasthan by way of deposit in a separate account, with the liberty to recover the amount from the violating units and erring officers. The deposit may be made within two months. The amount may be utilised for the restoration of the environment in the area as per the plan which may be prepared. Data on the turnover of the units may be duly compiled. The units in question be put to notice of these proceedings by the State PCB for their response, if any, before this Tribunal.”/’LAB/SNG/