K.HARIKUMAR Vs. AMBALAPPUZHA GRAMA PANCHAYATH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner in WP(C) No.3324/2021 is a permanent resident of Ward No.10 of Ambalapuzha South Panchayat. The petitioners in WP(C) No.7554/2021 are Moodampadi Residents Association and three residents of Komana in Ambalapuzha.

(2.) The writ petitions are filed seeking to declare that the Ready Mix Plant or the activities conducted under the cover of Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation by 6th and 7th respondents at the area in the Ward No.10 of Ambalapuzha South Panchayat at Komana requires all licences, permit etc under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, Environmental Laws and all other relevant laws. Certain consequential and incidental reliefs are also sought for in the writ petitions. The respondents and exhibits are referred to in this judgment in the order they are arrayed/marked in WP(C) No.7554 of 2021.

(3.) The petitioners state that the Ward No.10 of Ambalapuzha is a thickly populated residential area. Petitioners 2 to 4 in WP(C) No. 7554/2021 are senior citizens suffering from ailments like Gastroenterological disease, heart disease, Asma etc. The 6th respondent-Construction Company established a Cement Ready Mix Plant in the Ward. It is a highly polluting industry falling in Red Category. The local residents filed a mass petition to the Panchayat authorities to take steps to stop the activities of the Plant. The Panchayat has not taken any steps in that regard.