PIL filed against govt move to change river regulation zone

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Chaudhari, in his plea, has said the cancellation of the policy without calling for suggestions and objections was a “malafide exercise of power”. He went to argue that the policy was scrapped without expert consultation and application of mind. “When the policy was first introduced the government had called for suggestions and objections but while scrapping it, no such action was taken,” he said.

Pointing at the condition of the rivers in the state, Chaudhari said pollution was a major concern. The policy, he said, was to prevent the same. Citing media reports, Chaudhari said, the chief minister had claimed that the RRZ was scrapped to help in expansion of industries. “Proper balance should be maintained between industrialisation and environment. Increase in pollution levels will result in deterioration of standard of life,” he said.

The state government, the activist alleged, went ahead to change the RRZ without waiting for the natinal policy. “Without waiting for a nationwide policy to be framed and being put in place, Government of Maharashtra has hastily withdrawn the current RRZ policy which was in force for the last 14 years without giving any compelling reason for such an extreme expediency,” he said.