Noncompliance with order on KulluManali hotels displeases NGT

  • | Wednesday | 18th July, 2018

The tribunal had also asked about the action taken by the state government and pollution control board in this regard. Whatever is required to be done for the purpose may be done by the state. The report of June 13 mentions inspecton of 25 more hotels, taking the number to 41.The counsel appearing for the state government had informed the tribunal that the reports submitted so far covered 166 hotels of a total 1,000. SHIMLA: Expressing displeasure over the failure of Himachal Pradesh government officials to inspect all hotels of Kullu-Manali in compliance of the order issued earlier, the National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) has observed that a welfare state cannot afford to adopt such attitude when the lives of the peoples are at stake. It cannot claim the luxury of seeking more time repeatedly without performing its constitutional and statutory duties.“The plan of the state must be meaningful and we see no justification to give more than six weeks to complete the entire task.

SHIMLA: Expressing displeasure over the failure of Himachal Pradesh government officials to inspect all hotels of Kullu-Manali in compliance of the order issued earlier, the National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) has observed that a welfare state cannot afford to adopt such attitude when the lives of the peoples are at stake. It cannot claim the luxury of seeking more time repeatedly without performing its constitutional and statutory duties.“The plan of the state must be meaningful and we see no justification to give more than six weeks to complete the entire task. Whatever is required to be done for the purpose may be done by the state. There cannot be plea of deficiency of funds as these can be collected by way of penal action,” it added.While hearing the matter related to pollution caused by hotels in Manali besides violations and encroachments, NGT principal bench headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Goyal on Monday pointed out that manpower could accordingly be hired and more teams constituted, which could work simultaneously on war footing as health and life of the people is the primary concern of a welfare state. The tribunal said apart from inadequacy of the steps so far taken, it also found that the report submitted was not complete.“By way of example, we find that with respect to the Victoria Palace Hotel, the extent of encroachment found is not even mentioned though it was found,” the bench said. It further observed that when the matter was taken up on Monday, the tribunal’s attention was drawn to the affidavit filed on July 13 on behalf of the state government, stating that a joint inspection team had submitted a report on June 6, indicating the extent of violation and recommendations of the committee with respect to 16 hotels. The report of June 13 mentions inspecton of 25 more hotels, taking the number to 41.The counsel appearing for the state government had informed the tribunal that the reports submitted so far covered 166 hotels of a total 1,000. “If 1,000 hotels are required to be inspected and only 166 have been inspected so far, which makes it less than 17% and this cannot be appreciated,” the bench observed.On October 27 last year, the tribunal had asked the state to clarify about the total number of hotels operating in Kullu planning area, particularly in and around Manali. Information was also sought about the number of hotels having their own sewerage treatment plant (STP )and other anti-pollution devices installed and how many were operating without the consent of the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board.Details were sought about the hotels located or constructed on the forest land. The tribunal had also asked about the action taken by the state government and pollution control board in this regard.

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