The Supreme Court has pulled up the Centre for “making money” at the cost of citizens’ health by allowing dumping in India of hazardous waste from foreign countries.A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar termed the issue as “important” and said the authorities cannot bypass the regulations as the people of the country are facing the consequences.
“You (the Centre) are taking waste from other countries and allowing it to be dumped here. You make money out of it but the citizens of this country face the consequences,” the bench, also comprising Justices N V Ramana, D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul, said.“We are not going to let go this petition. This issue is so important. You cannot bypass the regulations. Please do something,” the bench said, refusing to give time to centre for filing a response plea.
The bench directed the government to file a consolidated affidavit after the petitioner consolidates all current issues pertaining to hazardous waste and furnishes a summary to the Centre.
“You can examine the orders and see what is going on and then come with a consolidated affidavit. This is serious issue,” the apex court said and posted the matter for further hearing on March 31.Advocate Sanjay Parekh, appearing for NGO Research Foundation for Science, claimed that authorities were giving permission and allowing disposal of hazardous and contaminated materials in India which is affecting the citizens’ health.
He argued that rules and norms were not being followed despite several directions by the apex court.
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