NGT issues show-cause notice to urban development secretary for dumping untreated water

BIKANER: On grounds of failure to comply with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Secretary of Urban Development Department, Rajasthan, has been issued with a show-cause notice. The show cause was issued on Wednesday, September 22 as the Urban Development Department failed to appear before the NGT on a dispute over the alleged discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents in agricultural lands in Nokha Village of Bikaner, Rajasthan. 

A petition had been filed in this regard in 2019 as the petitioner had taken grievance of the discharge of untreated water on the agricultural lands in the village named Nokha. NGT’s principal bench informed that the development body failed to appear for a video conference on orders dating back to June 10, 2021. 

The Tribunal is levying a compensation of Rs 5 lakh per month for the delay in setting up a Sewage Treatment Plan. Along with that, they are laying down a compensation of Rs 5 lakh per month on the delay in providing interim remediation measures to the affected village. 

The NGT said that violating and disrespecting the law is a dangerous trend that the organisation will not stand. Earlier on June 12, the NGT had given the Government of Rajasthan the last warning to take remedial action for the prevention of discharge of untreated effluents on agricultural lands.