NGT pulls up MoEF for act against MPCB

The western bench of National Green Tribune (NGT) pulled up the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) for failing to file an Action Taken Report against Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in the Ulhas river pollution case.

NGT confirmed that action would be taken against the head of the department, in this case the principal secretary MoEF, if the department does not follow NGT’s order and file the report within a month.

The bench of Justice Jawad Rahim and Justice Ajay Deshpande said that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in their report highlighted several instances which, “reflect inaction and lack of sense in the officials to discharge statutory duties at MPCB particularly in the matter relating to common effluent treatment plants (CETP) at Dombivali and Ambarnath,” pointing out the inaction of MPCB against the polluters of the river.

NGT, following their directives failed to be observed by MPCB had asked MoEF to launch action under the provision of Section 18(2) of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. However, as MoEF failed to file the Action Taken Report with the NGT, the bench has given 15 days to MoEF to complete the process of taking action against MPCB and report.

“We direct communication of this order immediately by registry to the concerned individual and head of the department yet, there shall be no excuse that the said communication was not received,” stated the bench.

NGO Vanashakti, working in the field of environment conservation, had filed a petition with the NGT asking it to direct MPCB to seize and desist the polluting industries affecting the Ulhas river directly.