Oversight Committee report in the matter of O.A. No. 200/2014 (M.C. Mehta Vs Union of India & Others).

The matter is related to Ganga pollution.

The Oversight Committee said that with regard to the time bound safe disposal of chromium dump at Rania, Kanpur no significant progress has been made so far by the agencies concerned. As per the preliminary report of the IIT-Kanpur, there is a huge difference in the volume of the chromium waste at the site in comparison to the DPR of the CPCB.

The report recommended that the Chief Secretary must be directed to get the correct quantity of the chromium waste ascertained through joint inspection by the IIT-Kanpur and the CPCB, to take all necessary measures, including regular personal supervision, to complete the remediation work in a time bound manner in the shortest possible time.

The NGT, vide order July 14, 2020 had directed the state of Uttar Pradesh to pay environmental compensation of Rs. 10 crores for damage to the environment for permitting discharge of untreated sewage containing toxic chromium into the river Ganga directly. The Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam was held liable to pay a sum of Rs. 1 crore for releasing untreated large quantity sewage containing toxic chromium in Ganga. The UPPCB was to pay a sum of Rs. 1 crore for failing in their responsibilities towards keeping the river Ganga clean. However, none of these amounts have been deposited till date.