 "NGT refuses to review order against petha-makers in Agra")
Makers of the famous petha, a soft candy-like sweetmeat, in Agra have got a breather, with the National Green Tribunal refusing to review its order dismissing a plea seeking direction to them to stop using coal for its manufacture and not to dump the waste in sewage lines.
"We do not see any mistake or error apparent on the face of the record. No legal error has been pointed out and therefore, we see no sufficient reason to review the order in question. Hence dismissed," a bench headed by Justice U D Salvi said.
The order came on a review plea filed by Agra resident Devashish Bhattacharya for revival of his plea seeking direction to the petha units in Agra to stop using fuels like coal for manufacturing and not to dispose of waste products in sewage or in open places in the city.
"We have perused the application moved for reviewing the order dated August 2 passed dismissing the said application for non-joinder of necessary parties. While passing the said order we had considered the records and heard the applicant. Nothing new is now been placed before us," the bench said.
Over 1,500 such units, with an estimated capacity of 700-800 tonnes, are operating in the heart of Agra city without any registration. These units use coal to cook the raw materials and dump the waste products generated in sewage lines and in the open, the plea had claimed.
According to Bhattacharya, about 4.7 tonnes of coal and firewood is used every day by the petha units alone in Agra, leading to emission of harmful gases, particulate matter and fly ash, posing a substantial health risk.
The tribunal had earlier dismissed his plea after he had sought to delete a representative body of the petha units from the list of parties in the case.
The green panel had said Noori Darwaza Petha Union, which was sought to be deleted from list of parties, was a representative body of some of units and their presence was mandatory for "complete and effectual" decision in the case.