PTI reported that the National Green Tribunal has formed a five-member committee to probe into a plea alleging violation of environmental norms in running the industrial operations by JSW Steel at some villages in Raigarh district of Maharashtra. The committee would be headed by an officer of the rank of joint secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, nominated by the secretary MoEF and also comprise officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, IIT-Mumbai, district magistrate of Raigarh and members of the state pollution control board. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel asked the committee to look into the issues including compliance of the Water and Air Acts and Hazardous Waste Management Rules, destruction of mangroves and damage to agriculture, if any. The bench said "It may also estimate the extent of environmental damage and the amount of compensation required and restitution plan (in case of non-compliance). The committee will be at liberty to take assistance from any other expert institution or individual and conduct proceedings online, except for site visit, if necessary.” If the violations are found, the committee may also suggest the amount of compensation to be recovered apart from other restoration measures, the tribunal said while directing it to submit a report within four months via e-mail. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Raigarh native Samita Rajendra Patil against violation of environmental norms by Jindal Steel Works Dolwi, Karawi, Gadab, KharKaravi, Kharmachela and Jui Bapuji villages and their surrounding areas. The case set out in the application is that the location of the plant in question adjoins the creek up to Dolvi village. Kharmachela and other villages are covered by mangroves which protect the environment in the area.
PTI reported that the National Green Tribunal has formed a five-member committee to probe into a plea alleging violation of environmental norms in running the industrial operations by JSW Steel at some villages in Raigarh district of Maharashtra. The committee would be headed by an officer of the rank of joint secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, nominated by the secretary MoEF and also comprise officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, IIT-Mumbai, district magistrate of Raigarh and members of the state pollution control board. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel asked the committee to look into the issues including compliance of the Water and Air Acts and Hazardous Waste Management Rules, destruction of mangroves and damage to agriculture, if any. The bench said "It may also estimate the extent of environmental damage and the amount of compensation required and restitution plan (in case of non-compliance). The committee will be at liberty to take assistance from any other expert institution or individual and conduct proceedings online, except for site visit, if necessary.” If the violations are found, the committee may also suggest the amount of compensation to be recovered apart from other restoration measures, the tribunal said while directing it to submit a report within four months via e-mail. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Raigarh native Samita Rajendra Patil against violation of environmental norms by Jindal Steel Works Dolwi, Karawi, Gadab, KharKaravi, Kharmachela and Jui Bapuji villages and their surrounding areas. The case set out in the application is that the location of the plant in question adjoins the creek up to Dolvi village. Kharmachela and other villages are covered by mangroves which protect the environment in the area.
