NGT Instructs UPPCB to Investigate FH Medical College

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to investigate claims that FH Medical College and Hospital in Agra is operating without the necessary environmental clearance (EC) and other permits.

During a hearing regarding the hospital's compliance, the NGT noted that the facility reportedly lacks both the consent to establish (CTE) and consent to operate (CTO).

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Businesses, including healthcare establishments, need to apply for the CTE and CTO from the UPPCB while the EC is provided by the state-level environment impact assessment authorities (SEIAA).

According to the PTI report, in an order dated October 4, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the applicant’s submissions about the lack of action by authorities concerned despite a legal notice regarding the hospital not obtaining the EC being sent to the SEIAA in June.

The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel said that the plea did not disclose some relevant information, such as the constructed area of the hospital.

It said, “We are of the opinion that the grievance raised by the applicant can be duly looked into and examined, at the first instance, by the member secretary, UPPCB, news agency PTI reported.

“Thus, we dispose of the original application (OA) directing the member secretary to duly consider the grievance of the applicant. The member secretary will examine the issue and take an appropriate decision in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible preferably within three months,” the tribunal said.

The team had earlier reported that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 5 lakh on Yashoda Hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, for operating illegally without the necessary statutory consent under environmental laws. The decision followed a letter petition alleging the hospital's non-compliance with required regulations.

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