NGT directive to all states, union territories

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed all states and union territories to submit their action plans for utilisation of fly ash generated by thermal power plants, to the Union environment ministry immediately.  

The order came after the tribunal noted that despite its January 3 order, none of the states have submitted an action plan till date.

It was informed by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) that only eight states have submitted their information with regard to fly ash so far, but they too have not given any action plan.

A bench, headed by Justice Raghuvendra S. Rathore asked the respective states to submit the same (action plan) before the next date of hearing on March 20.  

The green panel had earlier said that every state and Union Territory was under obligation to implement the notifications issued by the ministry from time to time and dispose of the fly ash produced by the power plants in an environment-friendly manner.

The tribunal was hearing separate pleas filed by Shantanu Sharma, Anupam Raghav, Sandplast (India) Ltd and others seeking utilisation of the fly ash as per 1999, 2003 and 2009 notifications issued by the environment ministry.

According to the notification, fly ash can be used only in “construction activity such as in laying roads, embankments or used as land fill to reclaim low-lying areas, including backfilling in abandoned mines or pitheads or for any such other use as permitted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the notifications”.