New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal (NGT)has directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) toensure that restaurants within its jurisdiction do notdischarge waste in an unregulated manner resulting in chokingof drains.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumardirected SDMC and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)to take action against violating units.
During the proceedings, the counsel appearing for theDPCC and the corporation assured the bench that they wouldensure no restaurants were allowed to carry out operationsunless they had obtained consent to operate from the pollutioncontrol board and licence from the municipal body.
"The corporation shall also ensure that the drain towhich these restaurants are connected is not permitted to bechoked because of discharge from the restaurants, if it is sonoticed by the authority concerned they shall take action asin accordance with law. Respondents shall abide by theirstatements," the bench said.
The NGT's direction came on a plea filed by socialactivist Pankaj Sharma who alleged that many restaurants andpubs in South Delhi were running without environmentclearances or no objection certificate (NOC) from theauthorities including the fire department.
The tribunal, however, said the prayer in the petitionwas "misconceived" and that environmental clearance was notrequired to be obtained under the notification of 2006"for running a restaurant unless it is part of the projectwhich is otherwise covered under the said notification." PTIPKS UKSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.