JK Cabinet okays proposal for common STPs

The Jammu and Kashmir government today approved a proposal of the hotel industry to set up common Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
A decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, here.
The plants would treat the waste water generated by the hotels, an official spokesman said.
Hoteliers and commercial units, who would be benefited by the scheme, would pay maintenance charges and fees to the concerned authorities, he said.
The scheme in the first instance would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir cities, the spokesman said.
Last month, hoteliers in Kashmir went on a strike to protest a directive of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court for installation of individual sewage treatment plants in their premises.

The High Court made the installation of STPs mandatory for hotels with more than 19 rooms.
It also directed the Pollution Control Board to seal hotels which did not implement the directive.