NGT Issues Notice Over Gas Leak in Jaipur

• 31 Dec 2024

Why in News? 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board and Jaipur's District Magistrate to respond to a case involving the hospitalization of several students following a suspected gas leak in Jaipur. 

 Key Points 

• The Incident: 
  • The NGT took suo motu cognisance on a suspected gas leak incident in Jaipur. 
    • The incident, which occurred on 15th December 2024 in the Mahesh Nagar area, resulted in the hospitalization of 10 students from a coaching institute after they fainted due to the leak from a nearby drain. 
• Observations by the Tribunal: 
  • The Tribunal noted that no compensation for the victims was mentioned in the report. 
  • The Bench highlighted significant issues concerning compliance with the Public Liability Insurance Act 1991 and the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. 
  • Notices were issued to the respondents, directing them to file their responses or replies. 
  • The Tribunal included as respondents the following parties: 
    • Member secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. 
    • Jaipur’s District Magistrate. 
    • The regional office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and  
    • Climate Change. 

 The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) 

• It is a statutory organisation, was constituted in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. 
• CPCB was also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. 
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.