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New Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
NGT pulls up OSPCB for violating own norms
CUTTACK: In a significant ruling, the National Green Tribunal (NGT's) east zone bench has pulled up the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) for granting permissions in gross violation of its own environmental guidelines to the Rengali railway siding operated by East Coast Railway (ECoR) in Sambalpur district. The petition, filed in 2024 by high court advocate Shivsankar Mohanty, alleged that loading and unloading of raw materials at the goods shed, situated at Rengali railway station, was causing serious environmental and health risks to the nearby residential population. The bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member) held that the Rengali railway siding is dangerously close to multiple sensitive public spaces. These include a government primary school at Chhauldhipa (100 m), another school at Station Basti (130 m), a modern public school (110 m), a Shiva temple (120 m), and a Maa Durga temple (95 m). 'We are surprised as to how the Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate was granted by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board at the initial stage itself,' the bench observed, pointing out that the Board had violated its own guidelines dated April 16, 2010. Although the Rengali siding is currently non-operational and was used for only about a month, the Tribunal expressed concern over the regulatory failure. However, it ruled out the imposition of environmental compensation on the Railways, noting that the OSPCB had not alleged any fraud on the part of the former in obtaining the consents. 'The Railways cannot be penalised for the gross lapses committed by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board while granting Consent to Establish in violation of its own guidelines,' the bench stated. The Tribunal also took note of a fresh application submitted by the Railways on August 12, 2024, seeking consent to handle 13,500 MT of coal per month at the same site. It directed that no fresh Consent to Establish be granted in violation of the existing guidelines.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC ‘satisfied' with probe into Balasore girl's suicide case
1 2 3 4 Cuttack: Orissa high court on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the ongoing probe into the recent self-immolation of a girl in Balasore while admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The court also issued notices to BJD and Congress for staging protest on the issue in alleged violation by Supreme Court guidelines. The PIL, filed by HC lawyer Shivsankar Mohanty, was taken up by the division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak. Mohanty, who appeared in person, sought a "time-bound" SIT probe under the direct supervision of the court. However, after perusing a status report on the ongoing investigation by the State CID-Crime Branch submitted in a sealed cover, the bench expressed "satisfaction with the progress made so far." At this stage, an SIT probe is not called for, the court observed. The matter has been posted to July 22 for further hearing, with a direction to the CID to submit an updated status report on the investigation. Appearing for the state, advocate general Pitambar Acharya submitted that the probe is being supervised by a senior IPS officer of inspector general rank and assured the court that the govt is taking all possible steps to ensure justice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Speed up your Mac and free up storage with Space Lens MacPaw Read More Undo He informed the court that both the accused — the college principal and the head of department of education — have been arrested, placed under suspension, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them. The court issued notices to the presidents of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee and BJD, following allegations by the petitioner that both political parties had staged demonstrations over the girl's death in violation of Supreme Court directives, prohibiting such activities during ongoing investigations. The petitioner has also sought directions to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to place on record the report of the fact-finding committee it constituted on July 15, and to take appropriate action against any erring officials or institutions. Taking note of this, the bench issued notice to the UGC.
