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1996 DIGILAW 2076 (SC)

M. C. Mehta v. Union of India

1996-10-29

KULDIP SINGH, S.SAGHIR AHMAD

body1996
JUDGMENT : W.P. (C) No. 3727, 4677/85, 327/90 & 725/94 1. The total fine amount collected from time to time may be deposited in a Bank as fixed deposit for a further period of 30 days. Meanwhile we have requested Ld. Attorney General and also Mr. M.C. Mehta to examine as to how this money is to be utilised. 2. To be listed on 19.11.96. Construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in three states i.e. U.P. Bihar & West Bengal 3. An affidavit dated Oct. 8, 1996 has been filed by Mr. Bhag Singh on behalf of National River Conservation Directorate, Ministry of Environment & Forest. We have heard Ld. Attorney General and Mr. Mehta. We have suggested to the Ld. Attorney General that a nodal agency/authority may be constituted to supervise the construction and completion of the STPs in respect of sewarage and house-hold waste generated in the cities situated on the bank of River Ganga. We have further suggested that a technical authority like, NEERI may also be instructed to have the construction of the projects examined from time to time and the progress report submitted to the Govt. of India and to this Court. The Ld. Attorney General states that he would have the matter examined and come back to this Court within two weeks. Adjourned for 19th Nov., 96 at 2 P.M. W.P. (C) No. 327/90 4. This Court on Jan. 19, 1 995 assed the following order regarding the Gomti component of Ganga Action Plan: ...."Mr. Vinay Shankar has referred to the second affidavit filed by Mr. Bhag Singh, on Sept. 26, 1994, and has invited our attention to internal page 39 of the affidavit wherein the Gomti component of Ganga Action Plan (Phase II) has been referred to so far as costs estimates are concerned. Three cities have been picked up under the Gomti component viz. Lucknow, Sultanpur and Johnpur. About 64 crores of rupees which are to be received as aid from the Great Britain (Overseas Development Administration of U.K.) according to the present estimate are likely to be spent on the various projects detailed in the affidavit in the three cities. On our suggestion, Mr. Lucknow, Sultanpur and Johnpur. About 64 crores of rupees which are to be received as aid from the Great Britain (Overseas Development Administration of U.K.) according to the present estimate are likely to be spent on the various projects detailed in the affidavit in the three cities. On our suggestion, Mr. Vinay Shankar has agreed that he would place before this Court, by way of an affidavit, various phases regarding completion of interception/diversion and setting up and completion of sewage treatment plant in the city of Lucknow for our consideration. After examining the affidavit, appropriate directions regarding the spending the money out of the aid received in respect of the various stages of the projects shall be issued." ............. 5. It seems nothing has been done thereafter. Mr. Panjwani states that due to paucity of time the Central Pollution Control Board has not been able to complete the inspection of all the industries. He may do so before the reopening of the Court after Diwali vacations. We further direct the State of U.P. and the U.P. Jal Nigam to give its response regarding setting up of the Sewage Treatment Plant in the three cities mentioned above and selected as a part of the Gomti component of the Ganga Action Plan. The affidavit shall be filed within two weeks. 6. To come up on 19th Nov., 1996.