Green tribunal rap for Ganjam admin

Expressing displeasure over the district administration’s disregard to its order, the Eastern Zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ganjam Collector and the SP to cooperate with

BERHAMPUR: Expressing displeasure over the district administration’s disregard to its order, the Eastern Zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ganjam Collector and the SP to cooperate with Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to seal illegal liquor manufacturing units at the earliest.

In June, the NGT had directed the State Government to close down illegal out still (country liquor) manufacturing units in Ganjam district. However, the order has not been carried out by the Ganjam Collector and the SP. In a fresh order on December 5, the NGT has directed for closure of the illegal units by January 30, 2018.

Alleging that 79 country liquor manufacturing units functioned without environmental clearance (EC) in the district, petitioner Biranchi Narayan Mohapatra had approached the NGT in 2016. Accepting his plea, the East Zone bench during its hearing had asked OSPCB to furnish a report on country liquor manufacturing units in Ganjam. The NGT had remarked that as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), country liquor manufacturing units are one of the most polluting industries.

Accordingly, the OSPCB, in its report, informed the NGT that all the units in Ganjam are operating without obtaining EC and consent from the OSPCB. Then, the NGT bench, comprising Justice S P Wangdi and expert member Ranjan Chatterjee, issued orders to the Chief Secretary to ensure that Ganjam Magistrate shuts down all illegal units until further orders. The NGT maintained that no liquor unit of the present kind can be permitted to run without EC which is mandatory under the law. The law states that these units must obtain air and water pollution clearance for their operation.

After receiving closure notices from the district administration, owners of liquor units owners informed the NGT that they have obtained licences from the Excise department. However, the tribunal observed that no liquor manufacturing unit, be it country or otherwise, shall be permitted to operate without EC and consent from OSPCB, notwithstanding the fact that they have obtained licence from Excise department.
As per reports, the liquor units in the district closed for a couple of days and reopened later.
Petitioner Mohapatra said despite the NGT order for closure of illegal liquor units, the district administration is buying time on the pretext of revenue. If the order is not implemented by the given date, a contempt petition would be filed before the NGT, he added.

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