NGT warns Odisha officials of prosecution over waste management lapses in Bargarh
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, has issued notices to the State of Odisha, the Bargarh District Collector, and the municipal authorities of Bargarh town, seeking an explanation as to why prosecution should not be initiated against them for failing to comply with its 2023 directives on municipal waste management and for allowing continued pollution in the region.
The Bench, comprising Justice Sudhir Agarwal (Judicial Member) and Dr. Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member), expressed strong dissatisfaction with what it termed the 'lackadaisical approach' of the authorities. It observed that the repeated non-compliance could attract penal action under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010.
The matter stems from a petition filed by Ramakanta Rout, a resident of Bargarh, who alleged that land in Ward 15 of Bargarh Municipality was being used as an unscientific dumping ground. He further raised concerns about severe contamination of the Jeera River - a critical drinking water source for the town - due to untreated municipal waste discharge.
In its judgment dated March 23, 2023, the Tribunal had directed the State to deposit over ₹1.84 crore into an ESCROW account for environmental remediation. It also mandated the installation of five Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and completion of bio-mining of legacy waste by December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Amasranga waste facility was to be brought into compliance with environmental norms.
However, an inspection by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in January 2025, and a subsequent affidavit filed earlier this month, revealed substantial non-compliance. The report stated that the penalty amount had not been deposited, STPs remained uninstalled, and bio-mining was incomplete. Untreated sewage was continuing to pollute the Jeera River, and water samples from the river and nearby groundwater sources indicated contamination beyond permissible limits.
In an affidavit dated May 12, 2025, the District Collector of Bargarh cited progress, including the receipt of ₹1.21 crore for bio-mining and a revised proposal for a single wastewater treatment plant. However, the Tribunal found these claims inadequate, stating that the directions issued in 2023 had remained largely unimplemented even after more than two years.
The Bench has granted the respondents - namely the State of Odisha, the District Collector, and Bargarh Municipality - one month to show cause why prosecution should not be initiated under Section 26 of the NGT Act. This provision allows for imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹10 crore, or both, for failure to comply with Tribunal orders.
Further, the Member Secretary of the OSPCB has been asked to explain why no penal action or environmental compensation has been imposed on the violators despite the documented breaches.
The matter is listed for the next hearing on July 28.
Shankar Pani, counsel for the petitioner, noted that it was a rare instance of the Tribunal contemplating prosecution against government functionaries for repeated defiance of its orders.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
NGT takes suo motu cognisance of poor condition of ancient water tank in Hyderabad's Golconda Fort
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report highlighting the "poor" and deplorable condition of Katora Houz, a historic water tank located inside Hyderabad's Golconda Fort. A bench headed by judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi registered an original application suo motu (on its own) following a news item titled "Neglected Katora Houz in Hyderabad's Golconda Fort Cries for attention". Referring to the news article, the Bench, also comprising expert member A Senthil Vel, noted that the tank, which was once an important source of water, is now full of garbage and has no water left. The news item also pointed out that the area surrounding Katora Houz is facing increasing encroachments, further contributing to the tank's deterioration. "(A)lthough the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) conducted a 10-day cleanup operation in 2025 to remove water hyacinth and debris, the pool has since reverted to being a dumping ground," noted the NGT in its order passed on June 5. The green body said the matter highlighted in the news item attracted the provisions of The Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Saying that the power of the NGT to take up the matter suo motu has been recognised by the Supreme Court, the Justice Tyagi-led Bench impleaded the Telangana State Pollution Control Board, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the GHMC, and Hyderabad's District Magistrate as respondent parties to the matter. "Let notices be issued to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit," ordered the green tribunal, transferring the matter for further hearing on August 6 before the Southern Zone Bench. It said that since the place of accrual of the cause of action lies within the jurisdiction of Chennai's Southern Zone Bench, the case should be further heard there. "Replies/ responses may be filed by the respondents (authorities) before the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai at least one week before the date of hearing fixed," the NGT ordered.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Telangana HC seeks explanation over delay in opening government hospital
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday pulled up the state government for the inordinate delay in making operational a fully constructed and equipped 100-bedded government hospital in Alampur, Jogulamba Gadwal district. The court directed the government to file its response within two weeks, explaining the reasons for not commencing regular medical services at the facility. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara expressed serious concern over the continued inaction, questioning why the hospital - built at a cost of Rs 21 crore and completed in October 2023 - remains non-functional even 18 months after completion. During the hearing, Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul observed, 'A 100-bedded hospital has been constructed in Alampur, but the state government is not opening it, not providing staff, and the equipment remains unused.' The Bench directed the government counsel to obtain clear instructions from relevant departments on the reasons for the delay. The directive came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist and politician S Ramchandra Reddy, a resident of Ieeja in Jogulamba Gadwal district. The petitioner alleged that despite several representations to the authorities, the hospital has not been made functional, depriving the people of Alampur of basic medical services.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Delhi govt's 45-point action plan to rejuvenate Yamuna, CM Rekha Gupta to monitor progress monthly
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched a 45-point action plan to rejuvenate the Yamuna River. The directions aim to accelerate ongoing projects and ensure strict monitoring. According to a statement issued by the Delhi government on Friday, CM Gupta will personally inspect the progress on Yamuna cleaning every month, in what has been described as a mission of 'environmental and ethical responsibility'. Chairing a high-level review meeting with officials of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Friday, CM Gupta reviewed budgetary allocations, project timelines, and progress across three key areas: water supply, sewerage network improvements, and the Yamuna revival plan. Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) and Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh also attended the meeting. The 45-point action plan covers drain treatment, treated water inflow into the river, solid and sewage waste management, septage and dairy waste disposal, riverfront development, stormwater planning, enforcement mechanisms, and public engagement. 'The rejuvenation of the Yamuna is not just a policy commitment—it is a moral duty. A clean and developed Delhi is possible only when every citizen has access to clean drinking water and efficient sewage systems,' the CM was quoted as saying, as per the government statement. According to the statement, 303 drainage projects worth Rs 8,000 crore are currently underway. These include de-silting works, permanent waterlogging solutions, pump house upgrades, and expansion of the stormwater network. The departments have been instructed to ensure timely and quality completion. Work is also ongoing to upgrade eight Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), including those at Okhla, Keshopur, Yamuna Vihar, Nilothi, and Pappankalan. Additionally, the government plans to establish 40 new Decentralised STPs (DSTPs), 13 of which are under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. The statement added that all unauthorised colonies must be connected with water and sewer lines by December 2027. Officials have been told to phase out old pipelines and prevent stormwater from mixing with sewage. The chief minister has urged the public to treat the Yamuna as a 'sacred heritage', She said the campaign would involve large-scale public awareness drives alongside technical and administrative measures.
