The National Green Tribunal today said it might pass orders tomorrow on the plea of restaurant- owners seeking reopening of their establishments in Delhi's upmarket Hauz Khas Village which were shut down four days ago for running without proper clearance and discharging untreated waste.
A bench headed by Justice P Jyothimani agreed to give an early hearing to the plea of the restaurant-owners after they claimed that many of them have installed Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), others are in the process of doing so and delay in allowing them to operate would affect the livelihoods of their employees, most of whom are daily wage-earners.
The Tribunal, however, observed that in this particular matter there has been "flagrant violation" of the norms and it will allow the eateries to function only if they are able to satisfy the bench that they have been complying with all the rules and regulations.
The proceedings saw high drama as many eatery owners who came to the Tribunal became emotional during the hearing and pleaded with folded hands before the bench that they be allowed to run their restaurants.
The bench, however, said its intention is not to shut down the eateries but to ensure the "environment is protected, people get hygienic food, the archaeological status of the area is maintained and proper licensing measures" are there.
The NGT said its interim order will remain in force till tomorrow and directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to inspect the eateries during the day and ascertain which of them have installed ETPs.
"We will decide tomorrow whether to give you time (to operate) or not," the bench said and asked the eateries to provide their schemes of treating effluents to DPCC which will study the same and submit a report to the NGT tomorrow.
The NGT also issued notices to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the Commissioner of Delhi Police and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) seeking their responses in the matter after the DPCC said licenses to operate are initially granted by them.
