GUWAHATI, Feb 18 � The Kolkata-based Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Chief Secretary of the State to file an affidavit on the issue of the alternative site for dumping of the municipal solid waste (MSW) for the purpose of shifting the MSW dumping ground from the Deepor Beel, the lone Ramsar site wetland of the State. The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit the affidavit within three weeks from February 16.
It needs mention here that earlier, the NGT Bench, on January 9 last, had asked the Chief Secretary of the State to file a supplementary affidavit on the matter. But he failed to file such an affidavit before the Tribunal Bench till February 16.
The next date for the case (Original Application no 19/2014/EZ Rohit Choudhury versus Union of India and Others) has been fixed on March 17 next.
The NGT Bench had observed on January 9 last � �Despite such direction no affidavit has been filed till today. However, the Counsel appearing for the Chief Secretary, Govt of Assam submits that he has no instruction on the status report to be filed on behalf of Chief Secretary and prays for time to file such report.
�Having regard to such submission made by the Counsel appearing for the Chief Secretary, Govt of Assam, time is granted to file status report in form of affidavit as directed earlier vide our order dated 24.09.2015 as a last chance by three weeks and copy of the same be served to the applicant and other respondents. The other respondents are directed to file reply to such affidavit before next date. Rejoinder, if any, be filed within one week thereafter,� said the NGT Bench on January 9 last.
It further said in its order that day� �the Counsel Malabika Roy appearing for the respondent No 4 (Pollution Control Board, Assam) submits that search of other alternative site for dumping the solid waste is in progress. Let supplementary affidavit on behalf of respondent No 4 be filed disclosing the action taken by them with reference to the finding of the alternative land for dumping the solid municipal waste.�
That day the matter was adjourned till February 16, 2015.
