In clear violation of environmental laws and Municipal Solid Waste-MSW Rules 2016 and recent notice issued by Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee-JKPCC to Assistant Commissioner Panchayat -ACP Budgam 2016 work on a waste management plant , the Rural Development Department -RDD has allegedly executed the work on the said plant during the intervening night of 27th and 28th July 2026 at Ohangam Beerwah under Block Rathsun district Budgam.

 

The Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee acting on a written complaint dated 5th June 2026 on behalf of Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat Chairman J&K Climate Action Group- JKCAG had sought a report from its divisional office Budgam. The inspection report submitted by the divisional office dated 11.6.2026 clearly said that the site in question was not at all feasible for making a waste management plant as it is surrounded by small irrigation canals , main road and a school. The report reads :

 

“The waste is being dumped on the roadside of the Ohangam- Rathsun- Soibugh road which is a major district road connecting adjacent villages. Some ongoing construction work at plinth level was also observed at the site. The site is located aprox 125 meters away from the nearby educational institution, 200 meters away from human habitation, nearest house is 120 meters away and is surrounded by orchards on all sides. Stray dogs were seen roaming around the site posing a threat to locals and school children. Foul smell emanating from the dumped waste was noticeable on the road making road inconvenient for locals and causing public nuisance”

 On the basis of this report the Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee on 6th July 2026 issued a notice for initiation legal action against Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Budgam, BDO Rathsun.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey were asked to submit report in 15 days

 

The notice from Regional Director PCC reads:

 

“ You are hereby called upon to show cause within 15 days from the date of issuance of this notice as to why action proposed be not taken against your organisation for brazen violation of aforesaid acts / rules and the Hon’ble NGTs directions. In the event of your failure to show any reasonable cause within notice period action shall become obvious in the matter. You are further directed to stop illegal and unauthorized waste disposal on to the aforesaid site forewith”  

 

Locals have accused BDO office Rtahsun and ACP Office Budgam for facilitating this illegal work in-spite of notice from J&K Pollution Control Committee-JKPCC

 

“Instead of taking action the Rural Development Department-RDD has facilitated the construction work by asking the contractor to work in the night hours . The entire material was dumped here at the site and for full night work was taken up “ said Fayaz Ahmad a local of Ohangam

 

Complainant Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat on whose complaint JKPCC had taken action took up this matter with Regional Director J&K Pollution Control Committee.

 

“ I spoke to the Regional Director JKPCC Mr Safeer Hussain today and he assured me to take stringent action against the culprits including the RDD contractor. This is a public place surrounded by water bodies , school, orchards and RDD wants to utilize the funds at any cost by brazenly violating MSW Rules 2016 and Water Act 1974. I will take this matter to NGT and demand compensation for the local panchayat Ohangam” said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat. (KNS)