The Jabalpur Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday has disposed of the Public Interest Litigation with the direction to the Jabalpur Regional Manager of the State Pollution Control Board to take action on the complaint of polluting the environment by a rice mill in Katangi in Balaghat district.
The division bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Sanjay Dwivedi heard the PIL filed by farmers Suresh Bisen, Shailesh Bhangre, Bharat Patale, Maniramji Patle, resident of Katangi town of Balaghat district through Advocate Shishir Soni.
The petitioners stated that they all live in Patharkheda, located at ward number three of Katangi Municipal Council. Counsel for the petitioners alleged that Deendayal Deshmukh, resident of the same ward, has opened Jayaramdas Rice Mill. It is being operated contrary to the rules of the Pollution Control Board. Due to this mill, the environment of the area is getting polluted severely.
It was further alleged by the petitioners that environmental pollution is impacting the health of the regional people. Due to paddy dust and constant uncontrolled smoke, people of the area are finding it difficult to live. The prescribed provisions of pollution control board for rice mill operation are being violated openly .
The Counsel informed the Court that petitioners made complaint at every level, but no action was taken. It was claimed in the PIL that action should be taken against the said rice mill for spreading pollution and instructions should be given to stop its operation.
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The Court, after the final hearing, disposed of the petition by directing the Regional Director of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board to act on the complaint as per law.