The Delhi High Court came down heavily on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for lacking will to comply with the court orders regarding relocation of the Bhalsawa and Ghazipur dairies, situated next to two enormous landfill sites.
The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora told the counsel representing both the MCD and Delhi government that the agencies were creating obstacles despite the court making efforts.
It noted that the intent was only to perpetuate the situation. The agencies were not at the same pace and were living in a different world. The attitude of both the MCD and the Delhi government was forcing the Court to shift them.
The High Court reiterated its earlier stance that there was a need to relocate the two dairies as the cattle at these dairies invariably feed on hazardous waste, and their milk, if consumed by humans, could have serious consequences on health.
The Bench said it cannot risk generations with some substandard milk. They have a vested interest. They were not willing to take steps to remove commercialisation. The officers didn’t know what they were doing. The agencies would bear the cross for this.
It asked the counsel whether the government wanted the generations to have cancer.
The Court further expressed its displeasure over the MCD’s proposal to create a wall to prevent cattle from feeding on the waste and asked the Centre’s counsel to take instructions regarding alternative land to shift the two dairies outside the Capital. The Bench underscored that policy panels were taking a call by being oblivious to the situation.
During the course of hearing, the Bench also reprimanded the authorities for their failure to comply with its earlier direction of making Madanpur Khadar Dairy Colony compliant with all the laws and shifting the blame to other authorities. In its May 27 order, the High Court had issued a slew of directions about Madanpur Khadar Dairy, including mapping and identification, tagging of cattle, use of spurious oxytocin, medical care of cattle and hygiene.