The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of a fire incident at a fish meal factory in Baikampady Industrial area in Bengaluru (Karnataka).
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 28.03.2024.
As per the article, the factory is owned by one Enterprises.
The article discloses that the fire engines were rushed to douse the fire which had by the time spread to the other parts of the factory.
The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
It is required to be seen by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), if the unit was operating with requisite consent and approval especially when the unit was located in the CRZ area.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment
“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) Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary
(ii) Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Mangaluru
(iii) One Enterprises
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Southern Zonal Bench, for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 02.07.2024.