Apex court tells polluting units to wind up

The Supreme Court has ordered the closure of 218 industrial and mining units around the country within 10 days as they do not have the requisite environmental clearance certificates under the Environment Act.

Among the units that have to be closed down by the central government are 70 industrial units and 148 mining units. The industrial units were involved in the manufacture of asbestos, bulk drugs, finished leather, pesticides, chemical dyes, electroplating and in distilleries.

The Bench, headed by Justice YS Sabharwal, passed the order in a public interest petition moved by the Goa Foundation pointing out violations of the environmental norms by hundreds of units.

The court observed that industrialisation could not be allowed at the cost of environment. The court severely criticised the government for negligence on this ground.

The government was not powerless when the industrial and mining units were flouting the provisions of the Act, the court observed.

The court said the statements filed by the Centre were "more in the nature of completing a formality" and were far from complying with the earlier directions of the court.

"The queries raised by the court has not been answered fully," it added. "Under these circumstances, we direct the Government of India to issue requisite orders within 10 days directing the closure of the defaulting units," the Bench ordered.

The Centre has been asked to file a report on compliance of the court order at the next hearing. It should explain the details of the steps taken by the government. The court also directed state governments to comply with the orders regarding the closure of the erring industries.

Green order

• Among the units that have to be closed down by the Centre, there are 70 industrial and 148 mining units
• The industrial units are involved in the manufacture of asbestos, bulk drugs, finished leather, pesticides, chemical dyes, electroplating and distilleries
• The central government has been asked to file a report on compliance of the SC order in the next hearing