CHAPTER XI
PROSECUTIONS LAUNCHED, CONVICTIONS SECURED AND DIRECTIONS
GIVEN FOR CLOSURE OF POLLUTING INDUSTRIES


11.1 IMPORTANT DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT

11.1.1 Taj Pollution Matter
Writ Petition (Civil) No.13381 of 1984 (M.C. Mehta Vs. UOI & Others), the further progress in the case during  the year has been as follows :    

  1. The Central Pollution Control Board has filed report on inspection regarding the development of green belt in and around the Taj Mahal in Agra.  As per the Court’s order the report have to be submitted every three months, a total number of twelve reports have been submitted through  affidavit.
  2. The Hon’ble Court on 17.12.1999 and 16.3.2000 directed the Central Pollution Control Board  to inspect M/s General Traders ‘Glass Works’, Firozabad to ascertain whether they are running the plant by using gas supplied by GAIL.  The CPCB and U.P.Pollution Control Board has jointly inspected the industry and submitted its report on 20.1.2000 where it was verified that the industry has made arrangement for using the gas supplied by GAIL.  Further inspection is being carried out.
  3. In compliance of Hon’ble Court’s order, dated 10.1.2000, CPCB has inspected the premises of Agra Slaughter House and submitted the Status Report on 24.1.2000 and unhygienic conditions were observed.
11.1.2 Ganga Pollution Matter
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3727/1985 (M.C. Mehta Vs. UOI & Others), the further progress in the above matter during the period is detailed as follows :

  1. The Central Pollution Control Board  has been directed to inspect M/s P.V.K Distillery vide Order, dated 28.9.1999 and 16.11.1999 particularly with regard to discharge of effluents on land.
  2. In the above matter, the Central Pollution Control Board  has also filed an Interlocutory Application (IA) on 19.4.1999, so that the Municipalities/Nagar Palikas located in the State of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to maintain and operate Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and other assets    created under the Ganga Action Plan.  On 26.10.1999, the Hon’ble Court directed the State of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to submit details of the action taken in the matter
  3. Further on 4.11.1999, the Hon’ble Court directed the Central Pollution Control Board  and West Bengal Pollution Control Board  to carry out joint inspection of M/s Standard Casting, Baltikuri, Howrah to ascertain the efficiency of pollution control devices installed by the industry.  The Joint inspection report has been submitted before the Hon’ble Court on 31.1.2000. The matter is still counting.
11.1.3 Pollution from Industries in NCT-Delhi

Writ Petition(Civil)No.4677 of 1985(M.C.Mehta Vs. UOI & Others).
  1. In I.A.No. 20 & 21 filed in the above Writ, the Hon’ble Court vide its order, dated 22.9.1999 directed the Central Pollution Control Board  to give its suggestions for expeditious commissioning of all the 16 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Water Treatment Plant, Nangloi.  The Central Pollution Control Board  submitted an inspection report on 26.10.1999 on all the 16 STPs and also on the Water Treatment Plant at Nangloi.
11.1.4  Pollution in Gomti River
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 327/1990 (Vineet Kumar Mathur Vs. UOI & Others)

The further progress during the period under report has been that Hon’ble Court vide its order, dated 4.11.1999 directed the Central Pollution Control Board  to carried out fresh inspection of three industries namely M/s Shree Acids & Chemical, M/s Chaddha Rubbers and M/s Insilco. The report of inspection has been filed on 12.1.2000 indicating the present Status and the measures taken by these industries.

11.1.5 Pollution in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh
Writ Petition (Civil) No.1056 of 1990 (Indian Council for Environ Legal Action & Others Vs. UOI & Others)

In the aforesaid matter a joint action plan prepared by Central Pollution Control Board  and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board  has  been earlier filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The progress and follow up action in pursuance of the action plan is being monitored by the Hon’ble Court.  During the hearing on 27.7.1999 the Hon’ble Court has further directed the Central Pollution Control Board  to submit the follow up action taken report.  The report of the action taken has been filed by the Central Pollution Control Board  on 31.3.2000.

11.1.6 Yamuna River Pollution Matter
Writ Petition (Civil) No.725/1994 (News Item “HT”, dated 18.7.94 titled “And Quite Flows  Maili Yamuna Vs. CPCB & Others)

The further progress during the period under Report is as follows :

Pollution by the industries and municipalities in River Yamuna :
  1. On 27.8.1999, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed  Central Pollution Control Board, Haryana State Pollution Control Board  and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to setup monitoring stations at Palla, where the river enters Delhi and Agra Canal the point at which it leaves Delhi and enters Haryana to monitor the quality of water at regular intervals initially everyday.  The CPCB and DPCC were also directed to setup the monitoring stations prior at the point to discharge into river Yamuna at each of the 19 drains in Delhi for assessing the effluent quality and pollution load.  Accordingly, the CPCB, DPCC and HSPCB have set up the monitoring stations.  The Joint sampling has been carried out and report thereon submitted on 9.9.1999.  The analysis report revealed poor quality of river water.
  2. Further on 13.9.1999 the Hon’ble Court directed that with effect from 1.11.1999 no industry will be permitted to discharge any effluent into River Yamuna directly or indirectly, which do not conform to the parameters prescribed by CPCB.  The Hon’ble Court has further directed the Government of   NCT - Delhi to submit report, which contains proposals to minimize or reduce the pollution emanating from the unauthorized colonies and slum clusters.  These directions have also been given to the State Governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
  3. Central Pollution Control Board  has conducted further monitoring of drains and three additional drains identified subsequently which are joining river Yamuna in Delhi. The analysis results have been submitted before the Hon’ble Court on 7.1.2000 and on 29.2.2000, pursuant to the Order, dated 17.12.1999 of the Court.