Apex Court Raps Up Govt

The Supreme Court today criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for not complying with its order to set up oxidation plants in six cities along the Gomti river but instead approaching it for modifying the order.

The judges said the government had failed to discharge its executive function and build the plants. It dismissed the application for changes in the order and termed the government inaction deplorable. The government pleaded that it had no funds to build the plants in Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Khera, Sultanpur, Jaunpur and Barabanki. The Bench headed by Justice G B Pattanaik said "it was unfortunate as the court had passed the order after fully considering the issues."

In its January order, the court had asked the government to identify and acquire plots within three months for setting up industrial effluents treatment plants. It had also asked the government to file a statement on the acquisition of land so that further orders could be passed.

However, the government not only failed to identify the plots but also pleaded lack of resources to build the treatment plants.