PIL Case Details

This PIL matter relates to initiation of a suo moto proceeding concerning the environment, health and safety of employees working in various CFTPPs (Coal Fired Thermal Power Plants) in the state. In the judgement passed on 31.01.2014, in WP(C) No. 79 of 2005, The Apex Court directed that respective High Courts may deal with CFTPPs operating within local limits of their jurisdiction, after calling for necessary reports from the same. As many as sixty-one industries having CFTPPs in Orissa, have been identified and have been arrayed as parties to the present petition. Some of them have filed affidavits before the High Court. Through its order dated 08.09.2022, the Court directed the state Government to file a comprehensive affidavit regarding the steps which it proposes to take in the first instance, inter alia, regarding a survey of all CFTPPs, identification of workers suffering from health hazards and the possibility of setting up an independent mechanism which can adjudicate the claims of such worker for appropriate reliefs.