SHIMLA: The Himachal government has informed the high court that it has constituted a committee to stop littering near Atal tunnel, Rohtang. During the previous hearing, the high court was informed by the amicus curiae that people litter “because of laziness, carelessness and irresponsible behaviour,” along with the belief that there are no consequences of littering and nobody is going to ask for littering.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, while hearing the matter recently, had directed the government to place the policy being framed to curb littering near the tunnel before the court.
During the hearing of the case, the counsel for the state had placed before the division bench a letter dated May 30th, addressed to the advocate general by the deputy commissioner, Kullu, pointing out {that a} committee has now been constituted to address the problem of littering and pollution on either side of the Atal Tunnel. The counsel for the state had stated that deliberations are on and appropriate policy is being framed to curb littering in the area.
On this, the division bench said that such a policy should be placed before it by the next date of hearing. It said that the amicus curiae as well as counsel for the Pollution Control Board and any other stakeholders may also submit appropriate suggestions to the said Committee for consideration. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 16.
In the previous hearing, amicus curiae Vinod Thakur had submitted that the solutions for the perpetual nuisance of litter could be achieved only if there are stringent clauses in place. Apart from there being environmental laws, certain stringent provisions are required to be made in the other laws as well, more particularly the local laws like laws governing the municipalities like Municipal Corporations, Notified Area Committees, Panchayati Raj Institutions etc. After all, the problem of litter is to be dealt with, with iron hands, he had suggested.
It was further suggested that more manpower is required of not only those who are involved in cleaning particular areas, but also who are engaged in controlling and fining violators. In addition to the aforesaid, a meaningful suggestion was also given that all the vehicles should be inspected and, in case, they are found to be containing any plastic bottle, then the same be tagged and an amount of Rs 50 be charged towards the security, which on presentation of the empty bottle, be returned to them. The same would be applicable to the vendors who would be selling these bottles on both sides of the Atal Tunnel by evolving proper mechanisms.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, while hearing the matter recently, had directed the government to place the policy being framed to curb littering near the tunnel before the court.
During the hearing of the case, the counsel for the state had placed before the division bench a letter dated May 30th, addressed to the advocate general by the deputy commissioner, Kullu, pointing out {that a} committee has now been constituted to address the problem of littering and pollution on either side of the Atal Tunnel. The counsel for the state had stated that deliberations are on and appropriate policy is being framed to curb littering in the area.
On this, the division bench said that such a policy should be placed before it by the next date of hearing. It said that the amicus curiae as well as counsel for the Pollution Control Board and any other stakeholders may also submit appropriate suggestions to the said Committee for consideration. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 16.
In the previous hearing, amicus curiae Vinod Thakur had submitted that the solutions for the perpetual nuisance of litter could be achieved only if there are stringent clauses in place. Apart from there being environmental laws, certain stringent provisions are required to be made in the other laws as well, more particularly the local laws like laws governing the municipalities like Municipal Corporations, Notified Area Committees, Panchayati Raj Institutions etc. After all, the problem of litter is to be dealt with, with iron hands, he had suggested.
It was further suggested that more manpower is required of not only those who are involved in cleaning particular areas, but also who are engaged in controlling and fining violators. In addition to the aforesaid, a meaningful suggestion was also given that all the vehicles should be inspected and, in case, they are found to be containing any plastic bottle, then the same be tagged and an amount of Rs 50 be charged towards the security, which on presentation of the empty bottle, be returned to them. The same would be applicable to the vendors who would be selling these bottles on both sides of the Atal Tunnel by evolving proper mechanisms.
