GHMC, pollution boards told to explain PoP ban

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court’s division bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice S. Nanda directed the GHMC and the central and state pollution boards to submit their contentions for prohibiting plaster of Paris (POP) use in making idols of deities.

The three bodies were directed to submit their counters to a petition filed by artisans and artisan associations, seeking a reversal of a ban imposed on the same. They contended that a ban would hit the livelihoods of thousands of families and deepen their economic struggles.

The CPCB, in ‘revised guidelines for idol immersion’, banned the use of POP for making idols.

The petitioners challenged the guidelines, contending that it was illegal, without jurisdiction, arbitrary and in violation of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India, 1950. Further, they argued that the CPCB could not issue directions under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, or under Section 18 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, as such power is exclusively vested with the Central Government. They also argued that CPCB failed to take into consideration that POP is not an “environmental pollutant” or “hazardous substance”, as described under Section 2 (b) of the Act.

The bench questioned the pollution control boards and GHMC on why they hadn’t imposed restrictions on the height of idols, instead of a total ban on POP.

The bench observed that the authorities concerned should have considered the plight of the petitioners before taking such decisions. However, the counsel for GHMC and pollution boards submitted that the decision was taken in the backdrop of the HC and Supreme Court expressing concern over water pollution due to idol immersion.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 21.