Rights panel pulls up pollution board, Rewari admn over inaction against illegal unit

The Haryana Human Rights Commission has expressed displeasure over the “inaction” of the district administration and local office of Haryana State Pollution Control Board regarding a complaint against an illegal industrial unit being operated in the residential area of the city.

Taking serious note of the issue, the Commission has sought detailed reports from the Deputy Commissioner, Rewari; the District Municipal Commissioner, Rewari, Municipal Council; and the Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board. They have been asked to submit the report before the next hearing scheduled on August 19.

Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer of the Commission, said in a statement that the Commission had underlined the obligation of authorities to act “promptly and sensitively” in matters that directly impacted public health and environmental safety.

He said the case pertained to a complaint filed by residents of Bheem Basti, who had raised alarm over continuous environmental violations and threats to public health posed by the unit.

In their complaint, the residents stated that the factory was operating illegally within a densely populated residential zone, causing excessive noise, air pollution and vibrations due to heavy machinery. The unit allegedly operated during night hours also, severely impacting the well-being and peace of the residents. One of the complainants, Rekha, a heart patient, has reportedly experienced worsening health conditions due to the persistent industrial noise and environmental stress.

Justice Lalit Batra, Chairperson of the Commission, in his order, reaffirmed that the right to a clean, safe, and peaceful environment was a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

He observed that the operation of the said factory violated key environmental and civic laws, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Factories Act, 1948; and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

He also referred to the Haryana Urban Development Authority Act and municipal laws, which clearly prohibitd industrial operations in residentially designated areas.