Ambala advocates file petition against pollution board, admn

Ambala, November 9

A group of practising advocates in Ambala has filed a petition before the Permanent Lok Adalat for public utility services under Section 22 of the Legal Services Authority Act - 1987 against the pollution control board and local administration to keep the environment clean.

In their application against the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Ambala Deputy Commissioner, Ambala Cantonment Municipal Council and Ambala City Municipal Corporation, the advocates have sought directions for respondents to take appropriate steps to keep the environment pollution-free by restraining the employees and staff of the contractors of the Municipal Council and the Municipal Corporation from burning garbage and proper solid waste management within the area of Ambala district.

Rohit Jain, president of the District Bar Association, said: “It is sad to see that the area of Ambala district is under threat of pollution and the quality of air has been recorded as ‘very poor’. Long-time exposure to pollution in the environment can be the main cause of life-threatening diseases. Pollution is being regularly attributed to stubble burning by farmers. However, it is being regularly witnessed by residents that the employees of the Municipal Council and the Corporation in Ambala Cantonment and City, respectively, burn heaps of garbage after collecting these from streets. Solid waste is not being disposed of as per the rules and even the pollution board has failed to implement the rules strictly.”

The advocates said the respondents had been collecting huge taxes for maintenance and cleanliness. They were duty-bound to implement the rules and acts for keeping the environment pollution-free.

The advocates requested the adalat to issue directions as it has the pecuniary jurisdiction to direct the defendants to take necessary actions to prohibit the burning of garbage and take appropriate steps for the proper disposal of solid waste. Acting on the petition, the adalat has summoned the respondents on November 14. — TNS