Hyderabad: Telangana High Court On Tuesday, officials were asked not to allow immersion of Ganesh idols made of plaster of Paris in water bodies in Hyderabad. The judges asked the officials Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and police will enforce the law against those who violate it Ganesh Utsav.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice T Vinod Kumar said, “It is time you apply the ‘polluter payment’ principle here as well.” “There is no point in limiting this principle to industries only.” The court asked the state to be more proactive in view of the severe heat conditions facing European countries these days due to environmental degradation.
The bench was hearing a contempt petition filed by advocate Maamidi Venu Madhav. Angry with the officials, the bench said, “The purpose cannot be served by merely promoting clay idols.” Create fear of law in the minds of the people. Obviously you are not ready to do this. This can be seen from the fact that the GHMC Commissioner filed his reply a few minutes before today’s hearing. And the police commissioner wants another day to do so.
‘Idols should not cross 10 feet, immerse them in special ponds’
All this is happening at a time when Ganesh Utsav is only three days away. Visarjan begins on the third day of the festival. Now you do not need to file any affidavit. We will pass the order,” the court said.
The bench also rejected the contention of state counsel Radhiv Reddy that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier ruled in Gujarat and Maharashtra cases that plaster of Paris was not so dangerous. The judges reminded him that the Central Pollution Control Board has banned it.
“Don’t tell us about the examples of Gujarat and Maharashtra,” the bench said. “Remember that there are idols of Ganesha immersed in the sea. In Hyderabad we do in Hussain Sagar whose existence is in danger with every passing year because the state never seriously considered it. This lake is not being cleaned regularly. Even siltation is not done.”
Venu Madhav said that earlier orders had said that the height of the idols should not exceed 10 feet and they should be immersed in special ponds created for the purpose. GHMC established such ponds in Hyderabad but hardly put them to use.
The bench did not agree with TSPCB’s counsel Shiv Kumar, who wanted all the departments to work in coordination. “You have substantial powers under the provisions of the Water Act and yet you have chosen not to implement them. Do not live as a toothless tiger,” the bench said and reserved its verdict.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice T Vinod Kumar said, “It is time you apply the ‘polluter payment’ principle here as well.” “There is no point in limiting this principle to industries only.” The court asked the state to be more proactive in view of the severe heat conditions facing European countries these days due to environmental degradation.
The bench was hearing a contempt petition filed by advocate Maamidi Venu Madhav. Angry with the officials, the bench said, “The purpose cannot be served by merely promoting clay idols.” Create fear of law in the minds of the people. Obviously you are not ready to do this. This can be seen from the fact that the GHMC Commissioner filed his reply a few minutes before today’s hearing. And the police commissioner wants another day to do so.
‘Idols should not cross 10 feet, immerse them in special ponds’
All this is happening at a time when Ganesh Utsav is only three days away. Visarjan begins on the third day of the festival. Now you do not need to file any affidavit. We will pass the order,” the court said.
The bench also rejected the contention of state counsel Radhiv Reddy that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier ruled in Gujarat and Maharashtra cases that plaster of Paris was not so dangerous. The judges reminded him that the Central Pollution Control Board has banned it.
“Don’t tell us about the examples of Gujarat and Maharashtra,” the bench said. “Remember that there are idols of Ganesha immersed in the sea. In Hyderabad we do in Hussain Sagar whose existence is in danger with every passing year because the state never seriously considered it. This lake is not being cleaned regularly. Even siltation is not done.”
Venu Madhav said that earlier orders had said that the height of the idols should not exceed 10 feet and they should be immersed in special ponds created for the purpose. GHMC established such ponds in Hyderabad but hardly put them to use.
The bench did not agree with TSPCB’s counsel Shiv Kumar, who wanted all the departments to work in coordination. “You have substantial powers under the provisions of the Water Act and yet you have chosen not to implement them. Do not live as a toothless tiger,” the bench said and reserved its verdict.
.