NGT junks plea against petha-making units in Agra

Owners of petha-making units in Agra can heave a sigh of relief as the National Green Tribunal has junked a plea seeking direction to such industries to stop using coal for manufacturing of the edible item and not to dump waste products generated in sewage lines.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi said dismissed the plea filed by Agra resident Devashish Bhattacharya after he sought to delete a representative body of petha units from the list of parties in the case.
The green panel said Noori Darwaza Petha Union, which was sought to be deleted from list of parties, was a representative body of some of units and their presence was mandatory for "complete and effectual" decision in the case.

"This petition has been moved for deletion of Noori Darwaza Petha Union and its substitution with Agra Nagar Nigam. Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant submits that Noori Darwaza Petha Union is a small representative body of petha units in Agra and they wish to delete this unit from the application and substitute it with Agra Nagar Nigam.
"We do see that their presence, whatever their extent of representative character, is necessary for rendering complete and effectual justice in the present case. Deletion of Respondent No 10 (Noori Darwaza Petha Union) will amount to non joinder of necessary party. Therefore, we dismiss this application," the bench, also comprising expert member Ranjan Chatterjee, said.

Bhattacharya had sought direction to the petha units in Agra to stop using fuels like coal for manufacturing and not to dispose of waste products in sewage or in open places in the city.
Over 1,500 such units, with an estimated capacity of 700-800 tonnes are operating in the heart of Agra city without any registration with any authority. These units use coal to cook the raw materials and dump the waste products generated in sewage lines and in the open, the plea had said.
According to Bhattacharya, about 4.7 tonnes of coal and firewood is used every day by petha units alone in Agra leading to emission of harmful gases, particulate matter and fly ash, which pose a substantial health risk.