Rapping tanneries in and around Kanpur for not setting up common effluent treatment plants, the National Green Tribunal has directed them to contribute 25% of the total cost towards establishing such plants.

A Bench headed by NGT Acting chairperson Jawad Rahim further told the tanneries based in Unnao, Banthar and Jajmau that “appropriate action” would be passed against them if they failed to comply with the order.

Action ordered

“We caution the industries that they will be dealt appropriately if they fail to contribute 25 % of their contribution to the CETP establishment exclusive to the cost of the establishment. However, we direct all concerned to ensure that the CETPs are established and the process is expedited,” the green Bench said in its May 25 order.

Ratio of 60:40

The directions came after the counsel appearing for the State pollution control board submitted that Rs. 23.50 crore in the ratio of 60:40 would be required to remove the waste that had been dumped.

Chromium waste

Advocate M.C. Mehta, who had moved a plea in the green panel seeking cleaning of the Ganga, submitted that close to 60,000 tonnes of chromium waste was lying in Kanpur leading to environmental pollution.

“Be that as it may, we shall have to consider this issue at subsequent stage and proper directions will be passed. We are adjourning this case granting one more month time to all the stakeholders to ensure that the directions are complied and report be filed by the next date of hearing,” the Bench said.