Order

1. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has filed a summary chart placing on record Statewise information regarding mode of disposal of solid waste from slaughterhouses and slaughterwise information as received from the State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs/PCCs).

2. Our order Laxmi Narain Modi v. Union of India, (2014) 1 SCC 613 stated that if certain SPCBs do not respond to CPCB, they would do so at their own peril since this Court had already issued directions to SPCBs/PCCs to respond to CPCB. Now, from the affidavit filed by CPCB, it appears that seven SPCBs did not supply the requisite information to CPCB. Be that as it may, the information, as compiled by CPCB in summary chart shows a dismal position in regard to the mode and manner of disposal of solid waste in slaughterhouses, the manner in which slaughterhouses are being managed and the steps being taken by SPCBs/PCCs. It appears that most of the slaughterhouses are being run without obtaining statutory consent. Before we consider issuing of notices to SPCBs/PCCs, we direct CPCB and the Ministry of Environment and Forests to file, within four weeks, affidavits of responsible officers stating the steps to be taken in respect of efficient and proper disposal of solid waste from slaughterhouses and running of slaughterhouses without statutory consent. We would like to know that after the information, as disclosed in the summary chart, came to light, have any effective steps been taken by either the Ministry or CPCB.

3. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is represented by the learned counsel before us. We direct the said Board also to file an affidavit, within four weeks, explaining the position in regard to slaughterhouses in the State of Karnataka as emerging from the summary chart.

4. List the matter after five weeks.