ETPs: Lok Adalat seeks modified report

  During the hearing on Thursday, Justice K L Manjunath said that the Adalat was not interested in closure of the hospitals. “We are interested in health of people. We want you to file a modified report fixing time to set up the ETP,” he said.

Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli, who appeared before the Adalat, said that all the hospitals were following the Court orders and the Government was committed to install the ETPs, but wanted more time. The liquid waste is already being treated by the hospitals. They require a plant for the treatment of waste water. Some of the hospitals have begun construction, while few others have decided to call for fresh tenders after they found that the cost was too high, he submitted.

“We ordered closure way back in December, 2008. The deadline was extended to May as the government intervened. But despite this, you have failed to meet the deadline. When the private hospitals have done it, why can’t you do it?,” the Adalat questioned.

Plea refused

The matter was adjourned when Advocate General assured to come out with a modified proposal. But the Adalat refused to grant eight months time sought  for installation of ETPs.

Vasudevan, on whose petition the matter has been taken up, brought to the notice of the Adalat the Government’s reaction stating that the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) will be directed to withdraw the closure order. The Board is an autonomous body and  there should not be any interference from the government, he noted.  KSPCB had ordered closure of nine government hospitals in the City, which failed to establish ETPs for treatment of bio-medical waste within the stipulated time.

The hospitals - KC General Hospital Malleswaram, General Hospital Jayanagar, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, Ghousia Hospital Tasker Town, Bowring and Lady Curzon, Minto Hospitals, Vani Vilas Hospital, Victoria Hospital and Kidwai Memorial Hospital were directed  to shut down within 15 days for not complying with the order on setting up ETPs.