A division bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday asked the State Government to constitute an appellate authority for appeals regarding air and water pollution. The bench comprising Chief Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Vilas Afzulpurkar wanted appointment of the chairman and members wanted the Government to report back within four weeks. The Court requested the Advocate General to see that this is done by the State Government expeditiously.
The bench was dealing with a writ petition filed by Pavan Silk Rice Industries. The petitioner filed a writ petition challenging an order of the AP Pollution Control Board which ordered closure of a company unit on the ground that it was causing pollution. The bench pointed out that this issue is to be adjudicated by an appellate authority which deals with the issues arising out of water and air pollution in the State.
The statutory authority under The Air (Prevention and Controller of Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Water (Prevention and Controller of Pollution) Act, 1975 hears the appeals filed by citizens and the industrial units which are aggrieved by the action and inaction of the AP Pollution Control Board.
The Bench was informed that this body had not been functioning for the last six months as the chairman and members were not appointed.