Jaipur: The Supreme Court Friday directed the Rajasthan govt to clarify within a week whether it intends to withdraw the appeals filed against the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2022 order of Rs 2 crore penalty on RIICO and municipal bodies of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra over the Jojari River pollution issue. The apex court observed that it was high time the state took a decisive stand rather than prolonging litigation while pollution in key rivers continued unabated.A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta granted the state govt one week to submit a detailed status report on the contamination in the Jojari, Luni and Bandi rivers. The court asked Rajasthan’s additional advocate general Shiv Mangal Sharma to seek specific instructions from the state and agencies concerned on whether they wish to continue or withdraw their appeals against the NGT’s order.The matter was heard in connection with the suo motu petition titled “2 Million Lives at Risk: Contamination in Jojari River.” The bench noted, “We know there are serious problems in all three rivers — the situation is deeply concerning.”The NGT, in its Feb 25, 2022 order, imposed penalties of ₹2 crore each on RIICO and municipal bodies of Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra. It directed strict enforcement of zero liquid discharge norms, closure of polluting industries and implementation of a river remediation plan involving the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) and local administrations.Appeals were subsequently filed by RIICO, Balotra municipal council, Pali municipal council and Jodhpur Municipal Corporation challenging the NGT’s directions at the Supreme Court. When Sharma pointed out the penalties of Rs 2 crore each on RIICO and municipal bodies imposed by the NGT, the apex court bench observed, “That was rightly done and we will deal with it.” The apex court added that continuing with the appeals may not be justified in light of the ongoing environmental and public health crisis affecting the region’s residents and that it was high time when the state govt rethought if it wished to continue these appeals.
SC directs Raj govt to clarify stand on appeals against NGT order in Jojari pollution | Jaipur News
