Take action against pharma companies dumping biomed waste into lake: NGT

Taking a serious view about biomedical waste being dumped in Puzhal lake, one of the important source from where drinking water is being supplied to the city, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, has asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to submit the action taken report, including the imposition of compensation against violators in accordance with the law, in the case related to dumping medical waste in the lake.

Justice K Ramakrishnan, judicial member, and Saibal Dasgupta, expert member, who presided over the bench said dumping medical waste in the water body is a serious offence, which affects the health of the people. “Persons responsible for it must be dealt with seriously, and they must be liable to pay environmental compensation.”

The green tribunal has directed the TNPCB to submit the present status report of the lake and to ascertain whether the pharma companies were strictly disposing of biomedical waste in accordance with the rules. It also asked the board whether the companies had necessary consent under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

“If they are not having consent, then the pollution control board are at liberty to take action against those persons who are running such units without necessary consent and violating the consent norms and conditions, and submit a report within two months,” the bench said.

The bench added that it should send across a message to others to comply with the rules scrupulously and prevent pollution, and provide a clean and green environment, thereby making them understand their fundamental duty enshrined in Article 51 A of the Constitution of India.

The TNPCB is at liberty to constitute any expert committee for assessing the compensation if it has resulted in deterioration of soil and water, and also remedial measures to be taken by them to restore the lake to its original position. The Board should also mention in the report regarding the present status of the prosecution launched, the bench added.