256.7 MLD sewage entering Bellandur lake in Bengaluru daily is criminal offence: NGT
New Delhi, Dec 18: The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday said 256.7 million litres untreated sewage entering Bellandur lake in Bengaluru every day is a criminal offence which is required to be checked on a war footing.
The tribunal said that Bellandur lake, which is said to be 130 years old and spread across 9,000 acres of land, is a habitat for several species of birds, reptiles and aquatic life which is now severely affected by pollution.
"This has also affected ground water recharge. Waste dumping has resulted in foul stench around the lake. Major cause for foam formation is considered to be discharge of untreated sewage through open drains.
"De-silting of the lake has not been done from time to time nor have steps been taken to stop the flow of untreated sewage into the water bodies. There is also failure to prevent dumping of municipal solid waste," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said.
The NGT directed that time lines for execution of projects for setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and laying of sewerage network may not be extended beyond September 30, 2020.
"If the work remains incomplete even till September 30, compensation will be liable to be paid at the rate of Rs 10 lakh per sewage treatment plant per month which may be liable to recovered from the erring officers, apart from adverse entries in their service records and other adverse action.
"Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) must ensure that no sewage/ effluent is discharged into the lakes and till setting up of STPs, interim remediation must be done forthwith. Any default in this regard will result in requirement to pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh per month per inlet into the lakes from February 1, 2020," the bench said.
It asked BWSSB to ensure that treated water is not discharged into the lakes and action may be taken against persons responsible.
"Sources of discharge of sewage be controlled/regulated and electricity and water supplies to the defaulting establishments be stopped for enforcement of law till remedial steps are taken for compliance.
"Encroachments which are still continuing be removed by using force wherever necessary. If any injunction has been granted by any Court which is considered erroneous, higher forum can be moved so that law is upheld. Action against erring officers which has not yet been taken must be initiated forthwith as already directed," the bench said.
The tribunal directed that steps be taken expeditiously for de-silting, de-weeding of lakes and analysis of sludge and silt may be carried out.
"The state pollution control board may develop a robust water quality monitoring programme for monitoring of water quality of drains leading to the lakes and also undertake water quality monitoring at least five locations for each lake.
"Steps may be taken to explore development of wetlands and biodiversity parks apart from other remedial action for reducing the pollution load on the recipient water bodies. Construction and Debris waste processing facility be commissioned expeditiously and steps be taken to ensure that the timeline proposed is adhered to," the tribunal said.
Earlier the Supreme Court had dismissed a plea filed by the Karnataka government challenging NGT order asking it to deposit Rs 500 crore in an escrow account for failure to check pollution in three lakes in Bengaluru.
The NGT, in its December 6, 2018 order, had observed that there was failure of very high magnitude on the part of the Karnataka government and its authorities, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), in protecting the three lakes -- Bellandur, Agara and Varthur and also in keeping the 'Rajakaluves' or stormwater drains joining the lakes clean and free from encroachments.
The tribunal had also asked the state government to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 100 crore.
The NGT in its order had earlier said that there is a clear need to require the state and the BBMP to forthwith perform their duties to remedy the situation by preparing the requisite action plan and providing funds.
"In spite of admitted grave situation, the State/BBMP have not taken any coercive measures against polluters or the concerned officers for their failure. No prosecution is shown to have been launched. No serious steps are shown to have been taken to remedy the situation. Thus, the State and BBMP are also liable to pay compensation for the past failure," the green bench had said.
The NGT had also formed a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Santosh Hegde to monitor the cleaning work and removal of encroachments.
"The State of Karnataka will deposit a sum of Rs. 50 crores by way of interim compensation for restoration of the environment with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). BBMP will be required to deposit a sum of Rs 25 crore in this regard to CPCB ," the tribunal had said.
The NGT had taken cognisance on its own of media reports and photographs of the incident in which a fire broke out in the Bengaluru lake.
Thick clouds of white smoke persisted for several days in the air around the Bellandur lake after the blaze.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
