According to reports, the NGT acknowledged a large-scale violation by commercial establishments and said that there was no action initiated to deal with the illegal activities or punitive action for prosecution, and sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary within a month
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday (July 22) to review and provide a report within a month on illegal marriage halls, hospitals, hotels and other commercial establishments in Banda, Mahoba and Chitrakoot districts.
Expressing their dissatisfaction over steps taken by the state pollution control board on waste management in these districts, the bench, headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to prepare a plan within a month for utilising the environment restoration fund with the Central Pollution Control Board's approval.
"Let the UP chief secretary review the situation and furnish a report in the matter within one month from today by e-mail. A further compliance report may be filed by the UPPCB before the next date by e-mail," the bench said.
The tribunal acknowledged a large-scale violation by commercial establishments and said that there was no action initiated to deal with the illegal activities or punitive action for prosecution.
It said the report submitted by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution control board (UPPCB) has no date of the show cause notice nor is the basis of determination of compensation mentioned, though it is stated that the units are working without consent.
The NGT said that the report does not show that any prosecution had been initiated for the violation of the law and there is no explanation why no action was taken so far.
"The sorry state of affairs must be set right, and an important regulator meant for protection of the environment, and public health cannot simply plead such incompetence. A plan is prepared for utilising the environment restoration fund with the approval of CPCB within a month," the bench said.
The NGT was hearing a petition filed by an Uttar Pradesh resident, Ashish Kumar Dixit, seeking action against the illegal operation of marriage halls, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, commercial complexes, hotels and other business establishments without requisite prior consent from the UPPCB in Banda, Mahoba and Chitrakoot districts.
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