The High Court on Tuesday warned the state government of initiating contempt proceedings against it if it fails to identify landfills for garbage disposal and fix fine for non-segregation of waste.
A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen took the government to task for not following its order to solve the garbage problem in the city.
While hearing a PIL filed by advocate G R Mohan seeking supersession of BBMP for failing to solve the issue, Justice Sen said, “If the state government, BBMP and the Pollution Control Board don’t come out with a plan to address the issue within two days, we will initiate contempt proceedings.” He also warned officials that they would be put behind bars if they do not solve the problem.
On November 6, the Bench had directed the government to identify five more landfill sites for garbage disposal and fix fine for non-segregation of waste within two weeks.
Additional advocate general K M Nataraj, representing the government, submitted that the government has identified 42 landfill sites around the city and sought 10 days’ time to complete the formalities.
Justice Sen said, “The government has done practically nothing in the last 15 days. What should people do with such a garbage menace around. We can’t give you more time.”
A senior official said that they need time to formulate bylaws for garbage disposal. Justice Sen asked, “Why you need bylaws to lift garbage in the city?”
The officials later submitted that they have identified five landfill sites in Anekal (207 acres), Kallabalu (60 acres), Bidarahalli (50 acres), Sarjapur (94 acres) and Gudibande (326 acres), and said they are awaiting clearence from Pollution Control Board.
During the hearing, BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel stood up to explain about the project. Justice Sen told him, “Mr Commissioner, please sit down. We have heard from you in the last hearing. The additional advocate general is here.”
“You should speed up the process as the matter is also about public health. Does superceiding of the BBMP help you to fasten the process of garbage disposal?” he asked and adjourned the case till November 22.