Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 26: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today issued a week’s notice to Government for filing response on pollution caused by the cement plants.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan issued notice to State through Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretary to Forest Department, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and others, and asked them to file their response in a week to the pleas taken in a PIL on pollution caused by Cement factories.
Petitioners are seeking direction upon the authorities to stop commissioning 600 metric tons Mehboob Cement project at Wuyun Khrew and to prevent, control and abate the environmental pollution caused by existing cement plants.
The Cement plants owned by the Government and other private persons be directed to adhere to the safety measures which an undertaken by them when NOC’s are issued. “The registration/NOCs be cancelled /withdrawn viz-a-viz the cement plants which violate the safety measures required for controlling, abating and preventing air pollution”, the petition reads.
It is further said that State Pollution Control Board (PCB) be directed to visit on spot and conduct extensive study of the pollution caused by the cements Plants. “The existing cement plants be directed to adhere to the preventive measures for controlling and abating the Pollution and stop the functioning of such cement plants which do not adhere to the pollution control devices and other measures as provided under rules”, reads the petition.
The PIL filed by the residents of Seerbagh Colony of Khrew reads: “The cement plants do not adhere to the norms which are provided for abatement of pollution caused by the cement pants. The activities which are undertaken by manufacturing of cement is querying of lime stone and the burning of fuel and one chemical compound which is dangerous, The combined operation of cement manufacturing is responsible for cause of air and water pollution and the pollution as such caused has caused great ecological imbalance.”
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