The National Green Tribunal has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to file a fresh inspection report in two days on the disaster at the central effluent treatment plant in Ranipet, a major hub of leather industry.
The tribunal also directed the Ranipet Sidco Finished Leather Effluent Treatment Company to implead in the case to be heard on February 5. The company operates the treatment plant in which 10 workers drowned in toxic waste last Saturday when a secure land fill breached releasing tannery sludge.
The directions by the Southern Zone Bench of the Tribunal follows an application by the NGT (SZ) Bar Association seeking the Tribunal appoint committees to inspect all tanneries and CETP in Vellore District to ensure they have the consent to operate and to ensure structural safety; direct a CBCID investigation on allegation of “false inspection reports” by authorities concerned; and direct the State pollution control board to submit all inspection reports relating to the CETP.