SC directs NGT to oversee impact of silicosis-prone industries across country

The Supreme Court has instructed the National Green Tribunal to monitor the impact of silicosis-prone industries and factories across India. The court wants to ensure that the Central Pollution Control Board and the state pollution control boards follow previous directives on the issue. Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of silica dust in the workplace. The bench of justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale stated that statutory bodies have been established and are in a better position to monitor and enforce the law.

The NGT has also been directed to take any necessary steps to prevent the spread of silicosis by such industries and factories. Another important point is ensuring that affected workers or their next of kin receive adequate compensation as quickly as possible. In this regard, the court has directed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to oversee the compensation process across the respective states.

The court has also directed the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation and the chief secretaries of the respective states to comply with the NHRC’s directions and work together to ensure that the compensation distribution process is efficient and without delay. The top court has instructed its registry to ensure that all relevant reports and affidavits related to this matter are forwarded to the NGT and the NHRC to facilitate the execution of their responsibilities effectively and swiftly.

These directions from the apex court are a result of a 2006 plea filed by the NGO People’s Rights and Social Research Centre, seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention in addressing the serious issue of silicosis among workers in various industries across the country. The NGO emphasized that the widespread and uncontrolled prevalence of silicosis among workers in various industries constitutes a violation of the workers’ fundamental rights under the Constitution.