Irked by the inaction of the Kochi Corporation regarding the slaughterhouse at Kaloor that was raided recently, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is planning prosecution measures against the local body. The abattoir continues to function in the city despite a closure order issued by the KSPCB.
The Senior Environmental Engineer of the KSPCB in Kochi has written to the Board Chairman K. Sajeevan seeking permission for initiating prosecution against the Kochi Corporation. The permission of the KSPCB Chairman was sought to prosecute the officials of the local body as Tony Chammany, the Kochi Mayor, was also a member of the Board, officials said.
If permitted, prosecution action will be initiated against the Kochi Corporation evoking the provisions of the Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act and a case will be filed at Judicial 1 Class Magistrate Court. The secretary of the Kochi Corporation would be arraigned as the first accused in the case, said KSPCB officials.
The Board had earlier issued closure notice for the slaughter house at Kaloor after it was found that refuse from the slaughterhouse, including blood, cow dung, flesh and other objectionable waste, were dumped into the canal.
Despite repeated reminders for improving the waste management facilities, the Kochi Corporation continued to flout the law. Eventually, the Board had asked the secretary of the Kochi Corporation to close down the slaughterhouse on January 9 this year, which too went unheeded, pointed out the Board official.
If found guilty, the official concerned shall be provided a jail term, which may extend up to three months or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.
Earlier, the Board had initiated legal action against some public sector companies in Kochi. That time, the court had slapped a fine on the company officials, he said.
