Noida: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Uttar Pradesh govt to file compliance reports concerning the contamination of soil and water sources in three districts within four weeks.While hearing four separate applications pertaining to chromium and heavy metal contamination, NGT sought to know from the govt whether it is prepared to establish one heavy metal testing laboratory in each of the three affected districts — Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat and Fatehpur.The principal bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad also sought clarification regarding recruitments to Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).“The amicus has also raised the issue that the selection and recruitment to UPPCB have been assigned to IIT Kanpur by entering into an MoU. This issue needs to be clarified by the state,” the bench said on July 21.The tribunal also observed that complete information regarding the medical treatment and assistance provided to all persons whose blood samples showed chromium and mercury contamination has not yet been furnished.“Counsel for the state has referred to the list of 255 people and has submitted that the needful in terms of the order of the tribunal has been done, whereas the amicus has referred to the long list which starts from page 4,953 and goes up to page 4,970 and has submitted that in respect of each of the persons disclosed in this list, the state must inform the medical facilities extended to them,” the tribunal noted, permitting the amicus to indicate the names of the persons who have not been extended the medical facilities and whose details have not been disclosed by the state till now.Listing the matters for further hearing on Oct 5, the bench said that the state must inform compliance with the directives through an affidavit.The state counsel informed the tribunal that govt released Rs 2.6 crore to IIT Kanpur in April this year for a comprehensive scientific assessment involving environmental sampling, groundwater and soil investigation, and mapping of contamination hotspots.“Field sampling is underway and by Aug, laboratory analysis of the collected samples will be completed,” the counsel said, submitting a detailed timeline and stating that compilation of results and preparation of technical recommendations would be completed by Nov.During the hearing, amicus curiae advocate Katyayani placed on record a newspaper report alleging that certain industrial units from Fatehpur were illegally dumping fresh chromium waste in Purwamir village during the night despite closure orders. Observing that such allegations, if found to be true, raise serious concerns regarding the functioning of the state authorities, the bench directed the environment secretary to investigate the matter and submit a status report.
