It is high time for all of us Indians to take up the issue of Pollution Control in right earnest. I have written from Surat Citizens Council Trust to Honble Prime Minister to amend the Act(s) so that no pollutants are immersed, discharged into rivers and water bodies. National Green Tribunal has assumed that the Guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board New Delhi do not have the enforcement power. If that is the case, then the central government must immediately take steps to make necessary amendments to the Act(s) without any ambiguity. We cannot and must not allow commercial aspects to deteriorate water quality. In this matter I have posted my views and suggestions to Honble PM on mygov. sampark.gov.in. If you feel the same you may post your local issues also. Shortly I am creating one platform for voicing citizens concerns on various issues. We all may join hands to improve the quality of life for us at present and for the future generations too. Honble Shri Narendrabhai Modi Prime Minister Government of India New Delhi Dear Sir We congratulate your goodself and government of India for taking up the issue of keeping the Ganga, Yamuna and other rivers free from pollution. Looking to the enormous expenditure estimated to clean these two main rivers it is necessary to take firm steps to prevent further deterioration of all water bodies by anybody including the civic bodies on the river banks. They must also be ordered to first treat the dirty water, affluents before releasing in the rivers. There are many issues pertaining Pollution Control in the country which are receiving your immediate attention. Case in point is Pollution in River Tapi: Recently the PIL was filed by Surat Citizens Council Trust against immersion of PoP idols in river Tapi. Honble Gujarat High Court asked us to refer the matter to National Green Tribunal. However in one application by PoP idol makers in National Green Tribunal the idol makers pointed to the advisory nature (not mandatory!) of the CPCB Guidelines of 2010. The NGT also mentioned in its order dated 9th May 2013 that the laboratory report of Shrishti Eco-Research Institute of Pune does not consider PoP as water pollutant. This single order has invalidated the entire exercise of CPCB to keep water bodies clean and unpolluted. Moreover our Council also represent that over and above PoP idols the harmful decorative colours contain heavy metals: lead and mercury also deteriorate water quality/purity killing water life and all living beings. Third important point is that all idol immersions lead to additional silting in the rivers and water bodies thereby increasing the risk of floods. In Surat 3.5 lakh cusec water released from Ukai dam will lead to flood in the lower lying areas of the city. Therefore, we appeal to your goodself to make necessary amendments to the power of Enforcement of CPCB and authorisation of all State PCBs by Central Government and the CPCB. All unambiguous amendments to the Water Act and related Acts should be passed in the Parliament at the earliest. We are ready to discuss the issues with qualified government officials in this matter so that the power of CPCB is enhanced/clearly defined which will avoid unnecessary resort by vested interests to the courts of law. We are of firm view that no pollutants, silting materials should be permitted to be immersed disposed off in the rivers and water bodies in the country. Thanking you Truly Sharad C. Kapadia President Surat Citizens Council Trust Surat
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 14:32:31 +0000