The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, taking suo motu cognisance of the rampant pollution in Amaravathi river caused by dyeing units and other companies in Karur, has sought to book those polluting the water bodies under the Goondas Act (Section 2 of TN Act 14 of 1982).
Chennai: A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi sought the Tamil Nadu government to amend the provisions of the said Act to detain promoters, directors, partners and all connected with polluting industries under it.
Pointing out that though the TN Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is stated to be taking serious steps to inspect and control the pollution caused by the industries and local bodies, the pollution continues to rampantly increase, the bench said: “Unless very stringent measures are taken, it would be difficult to control the pollution of water bodies.” “Though the above suggestion may appear to be an extreme step, there are examples in the past of the State Government, to safeguard the interest of the cinema industry, including those involved in video piracy as ‘Goonda’ and amending the TN Act 14 of 1982 accordingly. Similar steps have to be taken at the earliest regarding the polluters of water bodies in the State,” the bench led by Justice Kirubakaran said.
Based on this, the bench on suo motu impleading the secretaries of the department of Home, Industries and Law, sought details regarding the number of industries/companies letting the untreated effluents into the water bodies in Karur district with name and address.
The bench also sought details of the available mechanism to verify whether the effluent has been treated or not and as to how many industries are straightaway letting the effluents into the water bodies by digging channels and the action taken in this regard.
The bench also directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Karur, to inspect and file a report on the actual position of pollution in Amaravathi River at Karur with necessary photographs.
Pointing out that though the TN Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is stated to be taking serious steps to inspect and control the pollution caused by the industries and local bodies, the pollution continues to rampantly increase, the bench said: “Unless very stringent measures are taken, it would be difficult to control the pollution of water bodies.” “Though the above suggestion may appear to be an extreme step, there are examples in the past of the State Government, to safeguard the interest of the cinema industry, including those involved in video piracy as ‘Goonda’ and amending the TN Act 14 of 1982 accordingly. Similar steps have to be taken at the earliest regarding the polluters of water bodies in the State,” the bench led by Justice Kirubakaran said.
Based on this, the bench on suo motu impleading the secretaries of the department of Home, Industries and Law, sought details regarding the number of industries/companies letting the untreated effluents into the water bodies in Karur district with name and address.
The bench also sought details of the available mechanism to verify whether the effluent has been treated or not and as to how many industries are straightaway letting the effluents into the water bodies by digging channels and the action taken in this regard.
The bench also directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Karur, to inspect and file a report on the actual position of pollution in Amaravathi River at Karur with necessary photographs.
Conversations