PM Modi should speak to suit his position: Kumaraswamy refutes to ‘clerk’ comment
Mysuru, Jan 13: Strongly refuting the statement of the Prime Minister against him, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that Narendra Modi should speak to suit his position.
Addressing the party workers here on Sunday, the CM said that “Who told him that I am a clerk? My Cabinet knows whether I am a clerk or not. Who is Modi to give such a statement? He has been giving such statements because of our fear. This will not suit his position. A Prime Minister should not stoop to such a low level and speak”, he said.
Party workers meeting was convened to strengthen the party in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party wanted Mysuru LS constituency. But the Congress and JDS have not come to a conclusion. It would be finalized in coming days, the CM said.
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
