The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Haryana Chief Secretary to furnish a report on the compliance of solid waste management rules in the State following a plea which alleged that relevant rules are being violated by not providing proper sanitation and sewage facilities in Sonipat.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “In view of the grievance of the applicant about the continued non-compliance, we consider it necessary to seek a report from the Chief Secretary about the status of compliance of solid waste management rules and sewage management in the present context within one month.”
Noting submissions made by the Chief Secretary when he appeared before the tribunal in March this year, the Bench observed, “(The) Chief Secretary appeared before the tribunal and furnished a status report which included a statement that the matter will be monitored at the level of the CS on a monthly basis and by the District Magistrates on fortnightly basis.”
The observations came when the green panel was hearing a plea which alleged that effective steps have not been taken towards scientific disposal of waste.
“Present application is to the effect that no steps have been taken and the officials of the State pollution control board are colluding with the polluters. The result is that solid waste is being thrown in the open land causing environmental hazard,” the Bench observed while noting the allegations made in the plea.
The green panel further noted the petitioner’s submission that on approaching an NGT-appointed Regional Monitoring Committee, the State pollution control board was directed to take steps.