SC stays bailable warrants against CPCB chairperson

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the bailable warrants against the chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The apex court asked the CPCB chairman to appear before it on June 30.

The apex court had earlier issued bailable warrants against the chairman of the apex pollution monitoring body after he failed to appraise it about the steps taken to prevent death of workers due to silicosis in Gujarat.

On February 19, the apex court had directed the CPCB to file an affidavit within four weeks on the action taken on the suggestions on spreading of silicosis disease due to pollution from Quartz industries located in Godhra.

The court's direction came while hearing a plea by an NGO seeking compensation and rehabilitation of tribal workers belonging to Madhya Pradesh who had developed silicosis while working in crushing factories in Gujarat.

The apex court had earlier on May 4 directed the Gujarat Government to provide within a month compensation of Rs. three lakh each to the kin of the 238 deceased and also deposit an amount of Rs. two lakh each in their names as fixed deposits.