NGT says raise solid waste plant issue at appropriate forum

BATHINDA: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has disposed of the solid waste management plant case stating that issues related to service provider and Local Bodies Department can be raised at any appropriate forum in accordance with the law.

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 10

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has disposed of the solid waste management plant case stating that issues related to service provider and Local Bodies Department can be raised at any appropriate forum in accordance with the law.

A bench comprising tribunal chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, judicial members Justice Jawad Rahim, Justice SP Wangdi and expert member Dr Nagin Nanda announced the decision after hearing the case.

In the judgment announced by the bench, they have stated that the matter before the tribunal was confined to the validity of environment clearance, which stood settled. Subsequently, some of the incidental issues about functioning of the project of the solid waste management were also taken up.

“At this stage, we do not consider necessary to pass any further order on disputes relating to the service provider and the local bodies. Such issues can be sent to any appropriate forum in accordance with the law. The proceedings will stand closed,” the judgment said.

Further, it is also stated that no miscellaneous application needs to be entertained, as the matter already stands disposed of.

In the judgment, it is also stated that appeal number 70/2012 was filed in the tribunal against the environment clearance given to the solid waste management plant citing that site selection was not proper, there was no green belt and the project was close to a canal.

The tribunal disposed of the appeal, vide the order dated November 25, 2014, upholding the impugned order with the modification that a green belt be provided around the site and the rules be followed for management of the waste.

Even though the appeal was disposed of, the matter was again taken up before the tribunal as a follow up of earlier order, which was disposed of on December 1, 2017, after issuing necessary directions on the subject of plans for management of the municipal solid waste.

However, the matter again directed to be listed on January 16, 2018, and a committee was constituted, which was directed to submit compliance report regarding operation of the plant.

This project was the state’s first municipal solid waste treatment plant, which was constructed after a long legal battle in the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The construction work of the plant, in the first phase, was completed at a cost of Rs 28 crore on 30 acres, where the city had been dumping its garbage for the past three decades. Since its inception, the project has been facing protest and it has been embroiled in controversies.