NGT raps DPCC over report on Wazirpur's 'polluting' industrial unit
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) over its report on a factory allegedly causing pollution in Delhi's Wazirpur area, terming it a "fixed match". The DPCC told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel that when the officials went to conduct inspection they found the basement and ground floor were vacant. Here's what happened.
Tribunal directed DPCC to file appropriate report by March 25
Expressing dissatisfaction over the report, the tribunal directed DPCC to use its statutory powers for prosecution and recovery of damages and then file an appropriate report by e-mail before March 25, which is the next date of the hearing.
Regulatory authorities must act with responsibility and ascertain facts: NGT
"In matters of violation of environmental-norms, the regulatory authorities must act with responsibility and ascertain facts of ownership, occupation, use of electricity, activities which were earlier being carried out etc," the tribunal noted. "It's not impossible to assess the facts pertaining to illegal activities even if on a particular date, to avoid law, the law-violator locks the building and/or vacates the building," it noted.
The inspection is a fixed match, claims the tribunal
The tribunal said the visit by the DPCC officials was meant to be a surprise inspection and the report filed by the pollution control body was "evasive" in nature. "The inspection was meant to be sudden and surprise. It's a fixed match," the bench observed.
'Patent inference could have been drawn instead of giving evasive-report'
"In the present matter, a report by e-mail dated December 18, 2018, is that a show-cause notice was issued in light of inspection report dated November 26, 2018, to the effect that basement was locked and there was no owner." the tribunal said. "In the facts and circumstances, the patent inference could have been drawn instead of giving an evasive report," it further said.
Used acid is discharged in drains polluting the environment: Plea
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by city-resident Mohd Salim claiming that an illegal four-storeyed building has been constructed in Wazirpur, which is polluting the area and nearby places. "In its basement, plastic manufacturing factory has been installed. There's also a nickel factory," the plea claimed. It also said that the used acid is discharged in the drains polluting the environment.
All activities are without license and permission, claims plea
The plea by Mohd Salim also claimed that on the top floor, dyeing of clothes is taking place which is also adding pollution to the environment. It further said that all these activities are being carried out without any license or permission.
