NGT constitutes 3-member committee
Following a plea seeking ban on manufacture, import and use of solar panels containing heavy metals, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday appointed an expert committee to study the harmful effects of antimony on the environment.
A Bench of judicial members Jawad Rahim and R. S. Rathore constituted a three-member committee comprising scientists from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, (MNRE) and Vinay A. Juvekar from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay.
‘Possibility of leaching’
“The committee shall state in its report whether antimony is harmful and what are its side effects. Is there any possibility of leaching of the heavy metal and up to what extent any other issue which would be necessary in the analysis of ill effects of antimony and remedial measures thereof,” the Bench said in its order.
‘Within 6 weeks’
The green panel further directed the committee to submit the report to the tribunal within six weeks.
The petition, filed by advocate Niharika, had alleged that with increase in use of solar panels under the National Solar Mission the heavy metal was being dumped in landfill sites along with the panels after use.
Threat
This, the plea said, posed a threat to the environment. Further, the petition sought directions to the apex pollution monitoring board to allow import of solar panels which do not contain the heavy metal.
Source: thehindu
