The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) took notice of the illegal disposal station adjacent to Christian schools in Dawood Colony, Faisalabad
The complainant New Convent School System has alleged that Water and Sewage Authority Faisalabad had constructed a waste disposal station over 2000 square feet area adjacent to the Christian charitable schools in Dawood Colony
Islamabad(imrana komal)
The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) took notice of the illegal disposal station adjacent to Christian schools in Dawood Colony, Faisalabad. The complainant New Convent School System has alleged that Water and Sewage Authority Faisalabad had constructed a waste disposal station over 2000 square feet area adjacent to the Christian charitable schools in Dawood Colony. Consequently, the disposal station has contaminated the area water, caused bad odor, adversely impacted the health of students with diseases such as Hepatitis C and also claimed lives of two students. The complaint further stated that WASA’s conditional license to construct the concerned disposal station had been revoked by the Environmental Protection Agency because it failed to comply with the required environmental standard. The complainant also informed the Commission that the matter is sub-judice before the Honorable Lahore High Court and the last hearing was on the 21.11.22. The complainant had simultaneously approached NCHR for the redressal of its grievances, which also made an in person visit to inspect the nuisance caused by the disposal station.
Contrarily, the WASA Faisalabad denied the allegations put forth by the Complainants and informed the Commission that it is an intermediate disposal station which is constructed within the residential area and also stated that the disposal station does not constitute any transgression but the land was acquired through gazette notification before the construction of school. It further stated that full compliance with environmental standards were ensured during the construction of the disposal station.
However, the Environmental Protection Authority confirmed that theconditional license for construction of disposal station was cancelled because the WASA, Faisalabad failed to comply with the conditions stipulated for the acquisition of license relating to environmental standards. However, the matter was taken into appeal by WASA before the Environmental Appellate Tribunal and the Honorable Lahore High Court.
Considering adverse impact of disposal station on environment, health and education of children, NCRC summoned Director Environmental Protection Agency Punjab, Additional Secretary School Education Department, Director Water and Sewage Authority, Faisalabad under section 15(e) and section 15(k) of NCRC Act 2017.
While taking note of matter being sub-judice and restraining itself involving in any question of law, NCRC observed that the water analysis and the environmental impact assessment were conducted in 2019 which is outdated. In order to assist the Hon. Lahore High Court and assess the situation on ground, NCRC directed the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate into the environmental effects of the disposal station and carry out a water analysis within two weeks. Similarly, Additional Secretary of School Education Department was directed to constitute a committee to assess the impact of disposal station on the right to education and health of the concerned students.