RESEARCH FOUNDN FOR SCIENCE Vs. U O I

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Despite order dated 24.09.1999 having been passed, as often happens once again request is made for time to file affidavit on behalf of Ministry of Labour, which is a prayer in I.A. No. 11. On 2 4.09.1999, the counsel had stated that the said affidavit will be filed within a week. Many weeks have passed but affidavit has still not been filed. The time of the court has been wasted. However, we grant four weeks' time to file the affidavit subject to payment of Rs. 5,000.00 as costs.

(2.) The Additional Solicitor General has filed in court an affidavit of Dr. M. Sengupta, Director, Ministry of Environment & Forests, in which it is prayed as follows : "(i) authorize the Union of India to act on the recommendation of the High Power Committee with respect to "Waste lying in the Ports/Customs/ICDs". (ii) authorize the Union of India to put into effect the procedure formulated for ensuring proper disposal of materials lying in the Ports/Customs/ICDs. (iii) grant time till June 2000 to High Power Committee to finalize its recommendations on all other Terms of Reference, and (iv) pass such other order or orders as this Hon ble court may deem fit and proper on the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in the interest of justice."

(3.) The recommendations of the High Power Committee has been summarised in the said affidavit. Mr. Sanjay Parikh submits that he objects to the recommendations but is at the present moment not in a position to elaborate the said objections. As far as this court in concerned, a High Power Committee has been set up to deal with the problem of hazardous wastes which were lying at various ports of India. It is not in public interest that this type of waste, which admittedly is hazardous, should be permitted to continue to lie for any long period of time. Any adjournment would necessarily have this effect.