The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to an explosion at a firecracker factory in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh claiming lives of seven persons and leading to injury of several others.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 26.02.2024.
Blast took place at Maheva Village, Kaushambi District in a firecracker factory.
As per the news item, all the four deceased persons have been identified and at least 10 fire tenders were deployed to diffuse the fire.
News item does not disclose if any compensation has been paid to the family members of the deceased person or to the injured persons.
The Counsel for the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on advanced notice has submitted that as per the instructions received by him, unit was operating without any consent.
Original Application raises a substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(i) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through its Member Secretary;
(ii) Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) through its Secretary;
(iii) District Magistrate, Kaushambi
Project Proponent i.e. Fire Cracker Unit and its owner are also required to be impeaded as respondents in this original application but their details are not available. Hence, Counsel for UPPCB is directed by the NGT to furnish the details of project proponent along with its report and also inform PP about pendency of this original application.
The Bench issued notice to the respondents and listed the matter on 02.08.2024.