Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

HC notice to pollution control board

By Our Correspondent

BANGALORE APRIL 17. The Chief Justice, N.K.Jain, and Justice V.G.Sabhahit, constituting a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court, today ordered issue of notices to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and other respondents in a public interest writ petition filed by G.S.Prasanna Kumar, advocate, and another person. The petitioners prayed for a direction to the Central Pollution Control Board and the KSPCB to provide an efficient effluent system for distilleries.

The petitioners submitted that distilleries in the State did not have an effective system of controlling pollution. They said the pollution control authorities had failed to provide an appropriate system that could ensure that the effluents discharged met the statutory standards. The petitioners stated that a report in an English daily on October 7, 2002 had stated that the extent of pollution caused by the discharge of effluents from the distilleries was such that the water had turned black.

The petitioners stated that there were advanced technologies to minimise pollution. Further hearing on the petition was adjourned.

Plea dismissed

Justice H.L.Dattu of the Karnataka High Court today dismissed a batch of writ petitions challenging the amendment relating to the levy of tax on property. While rejecting the writ petitions, liberty was given to the petitioners to challenge the particular valuation in a particular case by way of an appeal or revision as provided under the statute or to move this court for appropriate relief.

The petitioners approached the court challenging the amendments made by the State Government to the Karnataka Municipalities Act. The petitioners submitted that prior to the amendment, the tax levied by the authorities was based on the annual rent.

According to the petitioners, after the amendment the tax is to be levied on the value arrived at by the value of the property and the land. The petitioners contended that the State Government had no authority to make such an amendment and the amended Act was liable to be quashed.

The judge, after hearing counsel for the parties, held that the State Government had the powers to amend the Act and dismissed the writ petition.

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