Eastern Zone Bench of National Green Tribunal has constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JPCB) and Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum to visit the site and verify the allegations of open dumping of municipal waste at the land earmarked for the construction of a proposed bus terminal/bus stand in East Singhbhum, Jharkhand.The bench comprising judicial member Justice Arun Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh formed the committee on Sept 23, while hearing Original Application No. 202/2026/EZ, Saurav Vishnu vs. Jharkhand Pollution Control Board & Others. The bench ordered the committee to examine the grievances raised by the applicant, consult the applicant and representatives of the concerned project proponents, verify the factual position and suggest appropriate remedial measures. State Pollution Control Board has been designated as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. It was directed to meet within two weeks and submit its report after the field visit within six weeks.The bench observed that the allegations raised in the application prima facie involve substantial questions relating to the implementation of environmental laws.Issuing notices to various authorities and including names of five parties as respondents, the bench directed Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt of Jharkhand; Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Govt of Jharkhand; District Magistrate, East Singhbhum; and Commissioner, Mango Municipal Corporation to ensure requisite compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and directions issued by Supreme Court and this Tribunal. “They must ensure that there is no dumping of waste in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and should file action taken reports in this regard by way of their own affidavits (and not by affidavit of any subordinate officer) at least one day before the next date of hearing,” the tribunal said, fixing Dec 2 as the next date.The tribunal clarified that in case of failure to submit the affidavit, the officials would have to appear before the tribunal physically or through VC to explain the circumstances for non-compliance with the order.“JSPCB is directed to verify the compliance status and in case of environmental violation to take remedial action including filing a complaint before the Adjudicating Officer appointed under Section 15C of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for penalty under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the concerned officers and to file an action taken report in this regard,” the tribunal added.
