SC comes down on polluting industries in Rajasthan

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Union Secretary of Environment and Forests to be personally present in the court to explain why its decade old order for removing sludge from a village in Udaipur district of Rajasthan has not been implemented.

A bench comprising Mrs Justice Ruma Pal, Mr Justice B N Srikrishna and Mr Justice Dalbir Bhandari, taking serious note of the attitude of Central as well as Rajasthan government, indicated that they would issue further directions in the matter on the next date of hearing.

The Court had slammpped a fine of Rs 37.38 crores on nine industries who were formd discharging wastes in Bichhadi village in Udaipur district contaminating the ground water and causing damage to the environment. In all 12 villages were adversely affected by this discharge.

The petitioner, Indian Coucil for Enviro-Legal action, had filed an application for directing the authorities to immediately implement the 1996 order of the Court. The cost of Rs 37.38 crores imposed on the industries was to meet the expenses to remove the sludge from the surrounding areas.

The industries include Hindustan Agro Chemicals, Silver Chemicals, Jyoti Chemicals, Phosphate India and Multi Fertilizers.

The Court also directed the Environment Secretary to explain the reasons for not implementing the Court's order. Contempt of court proceedings may also be initiated against the officials concerned as well as the industrial houses as the imposed fine has not been paid till date.

UNI AKS/SC DKS RAI1745