‘Plea On Open Defecation At Mahakumbh’: NGT Asks Petitioner For Supporting Evidence

The National Green Tribunal on Monday directed the petitioner for provide supporting evidence to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to back claims of open defecation at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj due to the absence of functional or clean bio-toilets.

The petition, filed on February 14, alleged that “lakhs of ordinary people and families are forced to defecate in the open on the bank of the river Ganga” because of inadequate sanitation facilities. To support this, the petitioner had submitted two video clips on a pen drive.

However, the NGT bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A. Senthil Vel, pointed out that the videos lacked geo-coordinates and had not been shared with the UPPCB.

The bench stressed the urgency of the matter, noting, “The original application raises a time-sensitive issue. Hence, some competent authority must examine the truthfulness of the allegations made by the applicant by ascertaining the correct factual position at the ground level.” The UPPCB’s counsel assured that if the relevant material was provided, the board would investigate the claims and take appropriate action.

The tribunal disposed of the case, allowing the petitioner to submit all necessary evidence to the member secretary of the UPPCB. The member secretary was then instructed to verify the allegations through a spot inspection. If the allegations were found to be true, the UPPCB would take immediate corrective measures and submit an action taken report to the NGT within four weeks.

If required, the case would be reconsidered by the NGT bench.

The petition had also accused local authorities of falsely claiming the installation of state-of-the-art bio-toilets to manage human waste at the Mahakumbh, despite reports of open defecation. On the same day the petition was filed, the NGT issued notices to the relevant authorities, including the UPPCB.

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