SC notice to MP govt on polluting Ujjain-based Grasim factory

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government and Ujjain-based Grasim Industry on the petition of farmers alleging that large-scale release of extremely harmful chemicals by the factory has destroyed 28 hectares of fertile agriculture land in the area.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal issued notices on Monday after hearing the counsel for petitioner who contended that the factory belongs to a big industrial house and the entire land in the area has become barren. The water has become acidic and unfit for human consumption in view of continuous and large-scale discharge of industrial effluents which contain dangerous chemicals.

The petitioners have come in appeal against the judgment of the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court which had dismissed their petition.

The farmers had lodged a complaint in 2005 with the area Sub Divisional Officer demanding closure of the polluting industry.

Standing crops on 28 hectares of land have virtually been destroyed, according to the farmers.

UNI SC SY RP AS1652