NGT issues notices to 13 manufacturers for polluting

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to 13 automobile manufacturers for not adhering to prescribed environmental norms. Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, TVS, Mitsubishi, General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and Honda are among the manufacturers to have been found guilty. Notices were also issued to 24 automobile service centres in Madhya Pradesh. The tribunal has sought a reply from the respondents by September 9.

This is the first time that parent companies have been served notices along with service centres. The respondents have been flouting air, water and hazardous waste management rules. There is also pleas to shut down 7 service centres as well as fine them Rs. 5 lakh each for polluting. Another plea wants 18 service centre that haven't filed compliance reports to be fined Rs. 5 lakh each and be made to submit their reports within 15 days.

The petition also seeks the disconnection of water and power supply to 17 service centres that have been served closure notices earlier. The NGT has also issued notices to other respondents, including urban administration and environment, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), MP central discom and pollution control board.

Besides, automobile companies have also been issued show-cause notices asking why they did not inspect service centres before allotting them dealership.

Source: Economic Times