Delhi High Court Orders Action on Hazardous Dairies Near Landfill Sites
The Delhi High Court recently issued an order directing the Delhi Chief Secretary to seriously consider relocating the dairies situated near the landfill sites of Ghazipur and Bhalaswa due to their potential threat to public health. The court emphasized that these dairies could cause irreparable harm and that the government’s assertion that they do not pose a serious threat is incorrect.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora expressed skepticism towards the government’s claims that the cattle in these dairies can be prevented from consuming hazardous waste until the projected cleanup of the landfill sites by 2025-26. The court highlighted the importance of ensuring compliance with municipal and other laws by existing dairies, including obtaining licenses from various authorities such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi government’s Animal Husbandry department, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and the Food Safety Authority.
Furthermore, the court directed the installation of bio-gas plants near authorized dairies for the creation of dry manure and biogas fuel production. These directives were issued in response to a PIL filed by animal rights activist Sunayana Sibal, who sought action to relocate Delhi’s dairy colonies and ensure compliance with laws.
During the proceedings, the High Court criticized the failure of the Delhi government and other authorities to regulate the dairies, stressing that citizens should not be subjected to consuming unhygienic milk. The court instructed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the Department of Food Safety, Delhi government to increase testing and conduct random sample checks of milk and milk products for chemical contamination.
Additionally, the court ordered the Commissioner of Police to submit a detailed affidavit outlining efforts to address complaints regarding the production and distribution of spurious hormones, as well as directives for specific actions such as removing encroachments from certain dairy areas and ensuring compliance with laws at Madanpur Khadar Dairy Colony.
The Chief Secretary was directed to file a detailed affidavit outlining the future roadmap for the nine dairy colonies, with a deadline of May 24, 2024. The case is scheduled for the next hearing on May 27.
Various legal representatives, including Senior Advocate Vivek Sibal and advocates representing different parties, appeared in court for the proceedings.
Click here to read the order.
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