Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India]: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has reiterated the state government’s commitment to complying with the High Court’s directives regarding the disposal of toxic waste from Bhopal’s Union Carbide factory site, which has been shifted to Pithampur for incineration.
Highlighting the government’s actions, CM Yadav stated that they sought additional time from the court to begin the waste incineration process, emphasizing the importance of obtaining public consent.
Speaking to ANI on Monday, he said, “Based on the various directions of the Supreme Court and the High Court for the disposal of Union Carbide factory site’s toxic waste, we transported it to Pithampur as it is the only center where all types of chemical chemicals containing harmful elements are processed by scientific methods. We put our side before the High Court again, as I announced earlier that we would ask for time from the court for all these things until we take all the people into confidence. I am satisfied that the High Court has accepted it and has given a time of six weeks for it.”
The Chief Minister also assured the public, saying, “In the meantime, all the parties and if anyone else wants to keep their side, then they can present it before the court, and the state government would follow the decision of the court.”
Reiterating the government’s dedication to transparency, he added, “I would like to tell the people of the state that we have done what we said. Do not believe any false rumour; the government is committed to take action according to the directions of the court. We will run our system accordingly. Our first priority is the public’s trust, the public-friendly government. This is our job to maintain the trust of the public, and also it is our duty to inform the court about all kinds of incidents happening as well.”
During Monday’s hearing, the High Court clarified that the state government was free to proceed with necessary actions to safely dispose of the toxic waste, in compliance with its December 3 order.
The state government requested six weeks to execute the December 3 order, a request which the High Court granted, said Naman Nagrath, the advocate for the petitioners. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 18, he added.