Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Lt. Col Jasjit Singh Gill Vs Ram Murti & Others dated 05/04/2024.

The matter related to the running of five hadda roddis (dump yard for dead animals) in the close vicinity of river Sutlej as also the issue of making the carcass plant set up at Ludhiana, operational. The action taken report filed by the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, April 2, 2024 disclosed all the five illegal hadda roddis were ordered to stop their illegal operations and disposal of carcasses into Sutlej and the hadda roddis on the bank of Sutlej river have stopped the operation and no disposal of carcass being done in the Sutlej river.

The report further revealed that notices to recover environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 2,28,12000 have been issued from each of the five hadda roddis and the recovery amount has been declared as arrear of land revenue vide letter dated February 7, 2024. It further stated that by way of abundant caution, the Deputy Commissioner has directed Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Commissioner of Police and SDM Ludhiana West to ensure regular checking so that no illegal operation of hadda roddis takes place in violation of the order of the District Magistrate.

So far as the operation of the modern carcass plant, set up at Ludhiana is concerned, the report stated that though the efforts were made, but due to resistance by the local villagers, the plant could run only for a brief period of 10 days (January 15-25, 2024. FIRs have been registered against the agitators and the agitation by the local villagers is on account of the fact that they have visited the existing carcass disposal plant at Keru Jodhpur and saw the problems faced by the villagers.

The stand taken in the report of the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana is that the present plant at Ludhiana is a modern plant and the problems being faced by the residents near the Jodhpur plant will not be faced by the residents/villagers near the Ludhiana plant and a comparison of both the plants was also given.

The Chief Secretary, Punjab along with Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana; Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana; Commissioner Municipal Corporation and Member Secretary, PPCB have assured the court that all possible efforts will be made to make the plant at Ludhiana operational within two months after the forthcoming parliamentary elections. The next hearing of the case will be on August 20, 2024.