Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday suggested that the government to consider introducing provision in its 2016 Government Resolution (GR) regarding regular inspection of industries discharging pollutants into water bodies in the state.
A division bench of Justice A.S. Oka and Justice P.N. Deshmukh made the suggestion while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Heta Shah, who had claimed that after the 2016 drought situation in state, the government supplied water for industrial and commercial use, but common man and animals had to face acute water shortage problems.
The bench said that the GR of April 21, 2016 provides for adequate machinery for taking steps against industrial agencies and companies discharging pollutants into the water bodies or causing pollution of water sources. However, it lacks any provision for inspection of pollution of water bodies. “The state shall consider introduction of a provision regarding Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) inspection at regular intervals of industrial agencies in the said resolution,” said the bench. It passed this order considering the May 2011 water policy of the government that provides water supply into four categories.
Justice Oka said that, the policy has given utmost priority to supply water for domestic use, drinking and sanitation purposes. The second priority category is agriculture and the third category is industrial and commercial purposes.
The court said that the state will be justified in reducing or restricting water supply for other categories, in case of an acute water shortage, and first category would be prioritised.
