National Green Tribunal
Krishna Nand Yadav vs State Of Uttar Pradesh on 20 December, 2024
Item No. 10 Court No. 2
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
M.A. No. 88/2024
In
Original Application No. 651/2023
Krishna Nand Yadav Applicant
Versus
State of Uttar Pradesh Respondent
Date of hearing: 20.12.2024
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL, JUDICAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
Respondent: Ms. Sthavi Asthana, Adv. for UPPCB
ORDER
1. The Original Application (hereinafter referred to as "OA") was registered in exercise of suo motu jurisdiction in view of law laid down by Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897, on a letter petition dated 17.07.2023, sent by Krishna Nand Yadav son of Ram Kawal Yadav, resident of Village Shahpur, Post Sahodih, P.S. Basdih Road, District Ballia, State of Uttar Pradesh.
2. The complainant has alleged that five brick kilns were operating within the radius of one kilometer at Gram Sabha Barsari at Sahodih, causing pollution and creating health hazards to residents in the area of 5 km. It is also said that brick kilns are operating in violation of environmental norms and defined siting criteria.
3. Tribunal considered OA on 11.01.2024 and found it appropriate to direct Statutory Regulator to look into the complaint and take 1 appropriate action and accordingly disposed of OA finally. Judgement dated 11.01.2024 reads as under:
"1. This original application is registered on the basis of the letter petition dated 17.07.2023 sent by one Krishna Nand Yadav with the allegation that there are five brick kilns operating within the radius of one kilometer at Gram Sabha Barsari at Sahodih and these brick kilns are causing pollution and affecting the residents in the area of five kilometer and the said pollution is leading to various ailments. As per the allegation the brick kilns are operating in violation of the environmental norms and defined siting criteria.
2. The issue raised in the letter petition relates to compliance of the environmental norms. Hence, considering the nature of the allegation we dispose of the present original application requiring the Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to duly consider the grievance raised in the original application, carryout the spot inspection, ascertain the correct position and nature of violation by the brick kilns in question and take appropriate action in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible preferably, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
3. Let a copy of this order, along with a copy of the letter petition be sent to the Member Secretary, UPPCB.
4. The action taken report will be submitted by the Member Secretary, UPPCB on or before 30.04.2024 before the Registrar General of the Tribunal by e-mail at [email protected] preferably in the form of searchable PDF/OCR Support PDF and not in the form of Image PDF and if found necessary, the matter will be listed for consideration before the Tribunal.
5. OA is accordingly disposed of."
4. In compliance of Tribunal's judgment dated 11.01.2024, an action taken report has been submitted by Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (hereinafter referred to as "UPPCB") which has been registered as M.A. No. 88/2024.
5. Report states that vide Notification dated 08.03.2019 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as "MoEF&CC"), New Delhi an area to an extent of 1 km uniform around the boundary of Jaiprakash Narayan (Suraha Taal), Bird Sanctuary in District Ballia, State of UP was declared as Eco-Sensitive 2 Zone (hereinafter referred to as "ESZ"). As per conditions in above notification, prohibited category of commercial activities included brick kilns and it was provided that setting up of brick kilns is prohibited as per applicable laws, except as provided otherwise.
6. Pursuance to Tribunal's judgment dated 11.01.2024, Officials of Regional Office, UPPCB, Azamgarh inspected the area of ESZ on 04.03.2024 and submitted their inspection report dated 06.03.2024, according to which 8 brick kilns were found operating in the area.
Relevant extract of inspection report reads as under:
"सर्वेक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठं की स्थिति तिम्नर्वि् पायी गयी-
(क) मेससस एस०के० ईंट उद्योग बड़सरी, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2013 से राज्य बठर्ा द्वारा पत्र सं0-126/एि०ओ०सी० तििांक 23.05.2013 के माध्यम से अिापति प्रमाण पत्र प्राप्त कर िातपि र्व संचातलि है।
2. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ र्विामाि में राज्य बठर्ा के संिभा सं0- 157361/UPPCB/Azamgarh (UPPCBRO)CTO/both/BALLIA/2022 तििां क 02.06.2022 द्वारा जल/ र्वायु सहमति र्वैधिा अर्वतध 02.06.2022 से 31.07.2025 िक तिगाि है।
3. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
(ख) मेससस एस०पी० एण्ड सन्स ईंट भट्ठ , बड़सरी, स होडीह, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2001 से राज्य बठर्ा द्वारा पत्र सं0-2085/एि०ओ०सी० तििांक 21.03.2001 के माध्यम से मेससा अमर तिक फील्ड के िाम से अिापति प्रमाण पत्र प्राप्त कर िातपि था िथा िाम पररर्विाि कर मेससा एस०पी० एण्ड सन्स ईंट भट्ा रखकर संचातलि है।
2. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ र्विामाि में राज्य बठर्ा के संिभा सं0- 145630/UPPCB/Azamgarh (UPPCBRO)CTO/both/BALLIA/2021 तििां क 30.12.2021 द्वारा जल/ र्वायु सहमति र्वैधिा अर्वतध 31.12.2021 से 31.07.2025 िक तिगाि है।
3. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
(ग) मेससस जी०एम० ग्र मोद्योग, अजीय पुर, मैरीट ड़, बलिय 3
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कठ कायाा लय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2010 से राज्य बठर्ा के पत्र सं0-108 र्व 109/सह0-233 तििांक 03.05.2010 के माध्यम से प्रथम बार जल/ र्वायु सहमति प्राप्त है िथा ईंट भट्े कठ र्वर्ा 31.12.2020 िक जल/ र्वायु सहमति है।
2. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ राज्य बठर्ा द्वारा र्वर्ा 2010 में जल/ र्वायु सहमति तिगाि तकया गया था िथा र्विामाम में राज्य बठर्ा के पत्र सं0- 196230/UPPCB/Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)/CTO/ both/BALLIA/2023 तििांक 10.11.2023 के माध्यम से तििांक 31.07.2028 िक जल/र्वायु सहमति तिगाि तकया गया है।
3. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
(घ) मेससस सर्सजीत ईंट उद्योग, बड़सरी, बेरुआरब री, स होडीह, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2001 से िातपि र्व संचातलि है।
2. ईंट भट्े कठ प्रथम बार राज्य बठर्ा के पत्र सं071298-सहमति र्वायु/ई०बी० 655/200 तििांक 03.02.2006 के माध्यम से तििांक 31.12.2010 िक र्वायु सहमति, र्वर्ा 2010 में तििां क 31.12. 2014 िक जल/र्वायु सहमति, एर्वं र्वर्ा 2016 में तििांक 31.12.2020 िक जल/ र्वायु सहमति तिगाि की गयी थी।
3. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ र्विामाि में राज्य बठर्ा के संिभा सं0- 120061/UPPCB/ Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)CTO/water/BALLIA/2021 तििांक 30.12.2021 द्वारा जल सहमति एर्वं संिभा सं0-120061/UPPCB/ Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)CTO/air/BALLIA/ 2021 तििांक 30.12. 2021 द्वारा र्वायु सहमति र्वैधिा अर्वतध 31.12.2021 से 31.07.2025 िक तिगाि है।
4. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
(च) मेससस लर्श ि ईंट उद्योग, लसधौिी, कैथौिी, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2009 से िातपि र्व संचातलि है।
2. ईंट भट्े कठ प्रथम बार जल/ र्वायु सहमति राज्य बठर्ा के पत्राक-581/ सहमति-366 तििांक 06.09.2016 द्वारा र्वैधिा अर्वतध 06.09.2016 से 31.12.2020 िक तिगाि की गयी है।
3. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ र्विामाि में राज्य बठर्ा के संिभा सं0- 168659/UPPCB/ Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)CTO/both/BALLIA/2022 तििांक 15.11.2022 द्वारा जल/र्वायु सहमति र्वैधिा अर्वतध 15.11.2022 से 31.07.2026 िक तिगाि है।4
4. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
(छ) मेससस यू०एस० इण्टरप्र इजेज, बड़सरी, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार राज्य बठर्ा के पत्रांक-
432/सहमति-389 तििांक 29.07.2016 द्वारा प्रथम बार जल/ र्वायु सहमति र्वैधिा तििांक 29.07.2016 से 31.12. 2020 िक तिगाि तकया गया था।
2. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ र्विामाि में राज्य बठर्ा से जल/ र्वायु सहमति तिगाि िहीं है।
3. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े के तर्वरुद्ध कारण बिाओ िठतटस की कायार्वाही की जा रही है।
4. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
(ज) मेससस घिश्य म लसंह ईंट भट्ठ , ग्र म र् पोस्ट-स हूडीह, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2014 से राज्य बठर्ा के पत्रांक-616/एि.ओ. सी.-3/10 तििांक 30.10.2014 के माध्यम से अिापति प्रमाण पत्र प्राप्त कर िातपि र्व संचातलि है।
2. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े कठ र्विामाि में राज्य बठर्ा से जल/ र्वायु सहमति तिगाि िहीं है िथा राज्य बठर्ा के पत्रांक-एच. 63450/री-6/सा0-632/ईंट भट्ा/बन्दी आदे श / बलिय /2021 लदि ंक 15.07.2021 के म ध्यम से बंदी आदे श ज री है।
3. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
4. ईंट भट्ठे के लर्रुद्ध लिगसत बन्दी आदे श के अिुप िि की क यसर् ही की ज रही है।
झ) मेससस क शी ि थ य दर् ईंट भट्ठ (पूर्स ि म मेससस आर०एस० ईंट भट्ठ ), बड़सरी, ब ंसडीह, बलिय
1. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्ा कायाालय अतभलेखािुसार र्वर्ा 2021 से िातपि कर संचातलि है।
2. प्रश्नगत ईंट भट्ठे को र्तसम ि में र ज्य बोडस से जि/ र् यु सहमलत लिगसत िही ं है।
3. लिरीक्षण के समय ईंट भट्ठ संच लित प य गय ।
4. प्रश्नगि ईंट भट्े के तर्वरुद्ध कारण बिाओ िठतटस की कायार्वाही की जा रही है।"
English Translation:
"At the time of survey, the condition of the brick kilns was found to be as follows-
(a) M/s SK Brick Industry Badsari, Bansdih, Ballia 5
1. As per office records, the brick kiln in question has been established and operated since 2013 after obtaining No Objection Certificate from the State Board vide letter No.-
126/NOC dated 23.05.2013.
2. The brick kiln in question is currently issued water/air consent validity period from 02.06.2022 to 31.07.2025 vide the State Board reference No.-
157361/UPPCB/Azamgarh (UPPCBRO)CTO/both/BALLIA/2022 dated 02.06.2022.
3. The brick kiln was found to be operational at the time of inspection.
(b) M/s SP & Sons Brick Kiln, Badsari, Sahodih, Bansdih, Ballia
1. The brick kiln in question was established in the year 2001 as per office records after obtaining No Objection Certificate from the State Board vide letter No.-2085/NOC dated 21.03.2001 in the name of M/s Amar Brick Field and is being operated by changing the name to M/s SP & Sons Brick Kiln.
2. The brick kiln in question is currently issued water/air consent validity period from 31.12.2021 to 31.07.2025 vide the State Board's letter No.-
145630/UPPCB/Azamgarh (UPPCBRO)CTO/both/BALLIA/2021 dated 30.12.2021.
3. The brick kiln was found to be operational at the time of inspection.
(c) M/s GM Gramodyog, Ajiapur, Marytad, Ballia
1. As per office records, the brick kiln in question has received water/air consent for the first time since 2010 vide State Board's letter No. 108 & 109/Co-233 dated 03.05.2010 and the brick kiln has water/air consent till 31.12.2020.
2. The brick kiln in question was issued water/air consent by the State Board in the year 2010 and currently water/air consent has been issued till 31.07.2028 vide State Board's letter No. 196230/UPPCB/Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)/CTO/both/BALLI A/2023 dated 10.11.2023.
3. The brick kiln was found to be operational at the time of inspection.
(d) M/s Sarvjeet Brick Industry, Badsari, Beruarbari, Sahodih, Bansdih, Ballia
1. The brick kiln in question is established and operating since the year 2001 as per office records.
2. The brick kiln was first issued air consent till 31.12.2010 vide State Board's letter No. 71296-Consent Air/EB 655/200 dated 03.02.2006, water/air consent in the 6 year 2010 till 31.12.2014, and water/air consent in the year 2016 till 31.12.2020.
3. The brick kiln in question is currently issued water consent vide the State Board letter no.-
120061/UPPCB/Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)CTO/water/BALLI A/2021 dated 30.12.2021 and air consent vide letter no.- 120061/UPPCB/Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)CTO/air/BALLIA/ 2021 dated 30.12. 2021 with validity period from 31.12.2021 to 31.07.2025.
4. The brick kiln was found to be operational at the time of inspection.
(e) M/s Vishal Brick Industry, Sidhauli, Kaithuli, Bansdih, Ballia
1. The brick kiln in question is established and operational since the year 2009 as per office records.
2. The brick kiln has been issued water/air consent for the first time vide the State Board letter no. 581/consent-366 dated 06.09.2016 with validity period from 06.09.2016 to 31.12.2020.
3. The brick kiln in question is currently issued water/air consent vide the State Board letter no. 168659/UPPCB/ Azamgarh(UPPCBRO)CTO/both/BALLIA/2022 dated 15.11.2022 with validity period from 15.11.2022 to 31.07.2026.
4. The brick kiln was found operational at the time of inspection.
(f) M/s US Enterprises, Badsari, Bansdih, Ballia
1. As per office records, the brick kiln in question was issued water/air consent for the first time by the State Board vide letter no. 432/consent-389 dated 29.07.2016, validity from 29.07.2016 to 31.12.2020.
2. The brick kiln in question currently does not have water/air consent issued by the State Board.
3. Show cause notice proceedings are being initiated against the brick kiln in question.
4. The brick kiln was found to be operational at the time of inspection.
(g) M/s Ghanshyam Singh Brick Kiln, Village and Post- Sahudih, Bansdih, Ballia
1. As per office records, the brick kiln in question is established and operating since 2014 after obtaining No Objection Certificate through State Board's letter no. 616/N.O.C.-3/10 dated 30.10.2014.
2. The brick kiln in question currently does not have water/air consent from the State Board and a closure order has been issued through State Board's letter no. H. 63450/Re-6/Sa0-632/Brick Kiln/Closure Order/Ballia/2021 dated 15.07.2021.
3. The brick kiln was found to be operational at the time of inspection.
74. Action is being taken to comply with the closure order issued against the brick kiln.
(h) M/s Kashi Nath Yadav Brick Kiln (Formerly known as M/s RS Brick Kiln), Badsari, Bansdih, Ballia
1. The brick kiln in question has been established and is operational since 2021 as per office records.
2. The brick kiln in question currently does not have water/air consent from the State Board.
3. At the time of inspection, the brick kiln was found to be operational.
4. Show cause notice proceedings are being initiated against the brick kiln in question."
7. Report shows that M/s. Ghanshyam Singh Ent Bhatta was operating without any current Consent to Operate (hereinafter referred to as "CTO") under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (hereinafter referred to as "Water Act, 1974") and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as "Air Act, 1981"), a closure order was issued by UPPCB on 15.07.2021 and compliance of the same was ensured on 01.04.2024 by joint Committee also. Further, UPPCB has issued closure orders dated 25.04.2024 against M/s. U.S. Enterprises; M/s. Kashinath Yadav Ent Bhatta. UPPCB has also sent letter dated 27.04.2024 to Superintendent of Police, Ballia with a request to instruct concerned police station for regular surveillance so as to ensure closure of brick kilns, namely, M/s. U.S. Enterprises and M/s. Kashinath Yadav Ent Bhatta.
8. Report, however, show that all the brick kilns were found operating at the time of inspection and that too in Eco Sensitive Zone in violation of MoEF&CC's Notification dated 08.03.2019.
9. Learned Counsel appearing for UPPCB could not explain as to how in violation of ESZ Notification brick kilns can be allowed to operate and further in respect of brick kilns where closure orders were already passed but they were found non-complying by operating despite closure order, 8 no explanation is offered as to how they were operating. There is also no disclosure on inter-se distances between the brick kilns. No further action was taken for past violation like prosecution, imposition of environmental compensation, etc.
10. In these facts and circumstances, we find it appropriate to implead following as respondents:
(1). State of Uttar Pradesh through Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, 101, 'B' Block, Lok Bhawan, U.P. Secretariat, Lucknow - 226001.
(2). Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board through Member Secretary, Building No. TC-12 V, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226010.
(3). District Magistrate, Ballia, Q48W+9P2, near Stadium DM Camp Office, Civil Line, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh 277001.
(4). Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, 17, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001.
(5). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, through Secretary, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi.
(6). M/s SK Ent Udyog, Barsari, Bansdeeh, Ballia.
(7). M/s SP and Sons Ent Bhatta, Barsari, Sahodeeh, Bansdeeh, Ballia.
(8). M/s GM Gramoudhyog, Jajiyapur, Meritand, Ballia.
(9). M/s Sarvajeet Ent Bhatta, Barsari, Beruarbari, Sahodeeh, Bansdeeh, Ballia.
(10). M/s Vishal Ent Udyog, Sidhauli, Kaithauli, Bansdeeh, Ballia.
(11). M/s US Enterprises, Barsari, Bansdeeh, Ballia.9
(12). M/s Ghanshyam Singh Ent Bhatta, Sahodeeh, Bansdeeh, Ballia.
(13). M/s Kashinath Yadav Ent Bhatta, Bakhauta, Barsari, Bansdeeh, Ballia.
11. Registry is directed to issue notices to all the above respondents.
12. The Registry shall place amended memo of parties on record.
13. The above Respondents may file their reply/response within three weeks after receipt of notice.
14. List on 17.02.2025.
Sudhir Agarwal, JM Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM December 20, 2024 M.A. No. 88/2024 In Original Application No. 651/2023 dv 10