The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim on Tuesday (February 27) heard a case in which it has been alleged by the Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action that 20 thermal power plants located in the basin of River Ganga were polluting.

The defendants in this case is the Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board.

At the last date of hearing it was submitted by the SPCB that there were indeed that many power plants operating in the basin. The counsel for the SPCB has said that out of 20 thermal power plants, two will be physically inspected.

On Tuesday the bench asked the respondents to file their report.

The counsel said that they have files a report, but the counsel for the applicant objected to the report, saying that the report is not complete and does not have complete details.

The bench asked the counsel to read order of September 5, 2017 in which the respondents have to take note on discharge by the industries. Having read the order the counsel said that he had filed whatever report was available with him.

The counsel said that they have filed a report of only 42 industries out of 114 industries which they have initially started.

The bench gave 2 days time to file the report otherwise Rs 50,000 cost hall be imposed.

—India Legal Bureau