NGT summons dist chief, RIICO MD on Barmer industries
JODHPUR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Barmer district collector and the managing director of Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) to appear before it on October 23 and explain what steps have been taken to comply with the order given by the Rajasthan High Court in 2004.
A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by one Mahesh Pareek in the high court, which issued various directions in 2004 for shifting of the existing industries located in non-conforming area/municipal area of Balotra town to a newly developed industrial area.
The NGT’S division bench, comprising justice Raghuvendra S Rathore and expert member Satyawan Singh Garbyal, had directed the Regional Manager, RII CO, Balot r a t o r e main present before it.
“In compliance of our earlier order, Regional Manager, RIICO, Balotra is present before us. We had made it very clear the purpose for which we had called the Regional Manager i.e. complete information and record with regard to cluster of industries in non-conforming area operating in Bituja village. It is to be noted here that in respect of industries operating in non-conforming area, High Court of Rajasthan had already taken note of it and passed an order in the year 2004. While passing the earlier order, we had sent a copy of the same to Special Secretary Industries, Divisional Commissioner, Jodhpur; and Collector Barmer with the hope that they would also look into the question which has arisen before us and accordingly their representatives would assist the Tribunal. But we find that neither the representative of respondent present before us is clear on facts, the judgment passed by the High Court, the compliance which was to be done in furtherance thereof by RIICO, as well as by State Government etc,”the NGT observed. “We direct the Collector Barmer and the Managing Director, RIICO to be present before us on the next date of hearing. We hope and expect that the officers would be well-conversant with the facts of this case, the issues involved, the order passed by the High Court in the year 2004, etc,” the NGT ordered.