SC dismisses Karnataka govt plea on Bengaluru lakes

Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by Karnataka government challenging a National Green Tribunal order asking it to deposit Rs 500 crore in an escrow account for failure to check pollution in three lakes in Bengaluru.

NGT, in its December 6, 2018 order, h observed that re was failure of very high magnitude on part of Karnataka government and its authorities, including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, in protecting three lakes -- Bellandur, Agara and Varthur -- and also in keeping 'Rajakaluves' or storm water drains joining lakes clean and free from encroachments.

tribunal h also asked state government to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 100 crore.

Appearing for Karnataka government in apex court on Friday, senior vocate Devatt Kamat said state h to make separate budgetary allocation for depositing such a huge amount and that amount directed to be deposited was neir a fine r a penalty.

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A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justice B R Gavai, however, refused to entertain plea and dismissed it.

NGT in its order h earlier said that re is a clear need to require state and BBMP to forthwith perform ir duties to remedy situation by preparing requisite action plan and providing funds.

"Inspite of mitted grave situation, State/BBMP have t taken any coercive measures against polluters or concerned officers for ir failure. prosecution is shown to have been launched. serious steps are shown to have been taken to remedy situation. Thus, State and BBMP are also liable to pay compensation for past failure," green bench h said.

NGT h also formed a committee heed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Santosh Hegde to monitor cleaning work and removal of encroachments.

" State of Karnataka will deposit a sum of Rs. 50 crores by way of interim compensation for restoration of environment with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). BBMP will be required to deposit a sum of Rs 25 crore in this regard to CPCB," tribunal h said.

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