Sewage in Kosi: NGT slams U'khand govt for non compliance of order

New Delhi, May 29: Irked over non-implementation of its order on pollution in river Kosi in Nainital, the National Green Tribunal has slammed the Uttarakhand government for the delay in filing an action plan for collection and disposal of sewage in the entire area.

The green panel, which had constituted a committee last December and asked it to submit action plan within three months, said the Uttarakhand government needs to work with greater "seriousness".

It expressed concern over the fact that two months have passed since the expiry of its order and neither any application has been filed for extension of time nor any step taken to enforce its order.

"Execution of the orders of the tribunal is essence of environmental justice and the person, particularly authorities, who do not carry out the directions not only are liable for disobedience but are also responsible for causing pollution and degradation of environment and ecology of the area."

This relate to a serious matter like dealing with the sewage that was generated in various towns. "One of the basic and fundamental source of pollution of river Ganga is discharge of untreated sewage into the river."

If this is the attitude with which Uttarakhand proposes to deal with the matters of environment, much needs to be said as well as appropriate actions are required to be taken against the concerned authorities...," a bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal also issued notices to Uttarakhand Environment Secretary, CEO of Pay Jal Nigam and Pay Jal Sansthan, District Magistrate and Member Secretary of state Pollution Control Board to show cause why costs for adjournments be not imposed personally on the these officers and recovered from their salaries.

The matter is now listed for next hearing on July 4. Kosi originates from the middle Himalayas from Kumaon in Uttarakhand, which does not emanate from any glacier and is a perennial river like Ramganga.

PTI