In Public Interest litigation filed by Sarva Shikshit Berozgar Sanagharsh Samiti Barmana, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the ACC plant Barmana located in Bilaspur district for causing air and dust pollution and violating the directions of the NGT given on March 6th and March 17th, 2012.
The NGT Bench headed by Justice Swatantra Kumar and comprising Justice Nambir and specialist members Dr. D.K. Aggarawal and A.R. Yussaf held the ACC plant management guilty of causing dust and noise pollution as also flouting the directions of the NGT given in 2012 and imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakhs.
Of the fine amount of Rs 50 lakhs, Rs 20 lakh each will go to the Central Pollution Board and Himachal Pradesh Pollution Board and Rs 10 lakh to the Regional Hospital Bilaspur for the treatment of persons suffering from lung and other diseases caused by the dust pollution.
The NGT took a serious note of blatantly ignoring the directions of the NGT given 3 years ago. The stone crusher was also not covered to prevent dust pollution as directed.
The NGT has further warned the plant management to keep the premises of the plant neat and clean to ensure that no dust or noise pollution is caused that creates health hazards to the local people of the area. It has also been directed that the cement trucks should be fully covered to avoid emission of dust.
Besides, the NGT has constituted a committee comprising members of Central Pollution Board, State Pollution Board and a senior doctor of state nominated by Director Health Services. Team would study all aspects of pollution and suggest ways and means to check it by installing the latest world-class devices to check pollution.
