Fund Issues Cannot Justify Violation: Green Court On Rajasthan Sewer Plant

The NGT gave one last opportunity for compliance, failing which the secretary of the departments concerned will be held personally accountable.

The National Green Tribunal has slammed the civic authorities in Rajsthan's Bikaner over a report on a sewage treatment plant, saying a plea of budget cannot be taken to justify the continued violation of the Water Act and the citizens' right to a clean environment. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the officer who has filed the affidavit does not have the requisite knowledge of law and responsibilities of the state pollution control board. "In view of the binding judgment of the Supreme Court, the plea of budget cannot be taken to justify the continued violation of the Water Act and the citizens' right to clean environment. "In absence of any other source of funds, funds are to be raised from the citizens in the area as directed by the Supreme Court, and for failure concerned erring officers are to be proceeded against," the bench said.