Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Rama Shanker Awasthi Vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Others dated 13/02/2023.

Grievance in the application is against operation of captive thermal power plants in Uttar Pradesh under M/s Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd. and Bajaj Energy Ltd. at Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh in violation of environmental norms.

The NGT after going through the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board report, February 10, 2023 found that violations with regard to EC/consents have not been found. However, other non-compliances have been found and action has been initiated.

The NGT said that non-compliances should be taken care of as soon as possible and surveillance maintained against violations. The bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said that "no information has been provided as to how thermal power stations are laying closed as per common understanding, such plants are never closed completely". The SPCB was directed to check up on this aspect.