Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding flow of waste into Sutlej and Beas river, 14/07/2021

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Yuva Mandal Sansthan Mithdiya Vs State of Punjab & Other dated 14/07/2021.

The applicant (Yuva Mandal Sansthan Mithdiya) requested that directions be issued to Punjab and Rajasthan to curb the inflow of industrial waste and sewage water into the Sutluj and Beas river and Rajasthan Feeder Canal and take appropriate steps to check, manage and control the noxious and hazardous effluents being thrown into water resources.

The NGT said that the same issue was dealt with earlier by the court also - and as the problems already stand identified and directions issued, what survives is continuous monitoring, which is the primary responsibility of the state authorities. The Tribunal, vide order, January 22, 2021 had directed the Chief Secretary, Punjab to take initiative in the matter in coordination with the River Rejuvenation Committee.

The NGT, July 14, 2021 directed the Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) to take follow up action in the matter in coordination with the concerned states. The concerned states has been asked to make available relevant information about the status of compliance of environmental norms and in case of violations, remedial action has to be done.