The Hindu 28.08.2012
HC pulls up BBMP for garbage mess
Warning of serious action if the administration remained
lackadaisical in resolving the city’s garbage disposal problem, the
Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the State government and the
Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP) to file a report in three days
on the situation.
The court, in its order, also said
it disagrees with the statements of certain “public figures” who have
said that residents of villages close to garbage landfills should be
tolerant.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice
Vikramajit Sen and Justice B.V. Nagarathna, while hearing a public
interest litigation (PIL) petition complaining about the BBMP’s failure
to dispose of garbage, observed that “there is justification in the
protest of villagers who are aggrieved with dumping of garbage from the
city without there being any effort to recycle or treat the
waste/garbage”.
“Garbage will definitely increase. It
is increasing because you have not taken any steps. What is the
administration doing? You never seem bothered. You should have taken
alternative measures,” observed the Bench.
It pointed
out that the claim of increase in garbage was a lame excuse and that
could not be a reason for leaving garbage on the streets of the city.
The Bench said it would not hesitate to order termination of service or suspension of officials responsible for the situation.
While
observing that those who generate garbage are primarily responsible for
its disposal, the Bench said that the respondents [BBMP and others]
were unable to say whether any mechanism was being put into place for
the disposal of waste, either by way of incinerators or segregation.
BBMP
counsel K.N. Putte Gowda informed the court that garbage was being
cleared but the main problem was in disposal as residents opposed
dumping in sites adjoining their areas.
Petitioner
G.R. Mohan, a city-based advocate, stated that though the rule
specifically insisted on segregation of waste, it was not being complied
with.