Court on its Own Motion vs The State of Jharkhand and Others

Heard learned counsel for the parties, As per the counter affidavit filed on behalf of Chairman, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, there is no STP in Adityapur, Jugsalai, Mango and Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee and untreated sewage is being discharged into Kharkai and Swarnarekha river. It has proposed the following actions:-

(i) To stop dumping of municipal solid waste along Swarnrekha river near Bara area and give direction to Mango, and Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee.

(ii) To develop waste processing and disposal facility under Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rule, 2000.

(iii) To establish STP for treatment of sewage in Jamshedpur and Jugsalai Notified Area Committee Area.

(iv) For proper disposal of municipal solid waste in major towns of the State under Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000.

In view of the above reasons, issue notice to Adityapur, Jugsalai, Mango and Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee and a copy of this order be annexed with the order so that those Notified Area may come with their reply to the allegations that untreated sewage is being discharged into Kharkai and Swarnarekha river and certain steps are required to be taken by those Committee.

Learned counsel appearing for the intervenor drew our attention to the Minutes of the Meeting convened in the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Jharkhand in view of the order of this Court dated 10.07.2012. It has been pointed out that nine issues have been considered and those issues are required to be addressed by the respective authorities and bodies. According to learned counsel for the intervenor, as per his information, no effective steps have been taken to implement the decision taken in the said Meeting dated 01.9.2012 convened in the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Jharkhand.

Therefore, the State is directed to state on oath what steps have been taken for implementation and the reply should be para-wise to the issue nos. 1 to 9 mentioned in the Minutes of the Meeting, dated 01.9.2012.

Put-up this matter on 25.2.2013. A copy of this order be given to learned counsel for the parties as well as to the amicus curiae.