• Ayushmann Khurrana
• Bhumi Pedneker
• Aanand L Rai(Producer)
• R.S. Prasanna (Director)

“Citizen Circle for Social Welfare            )

and Education:, though its President –   )

Mr. Arshad Ali, aged about 40                 )

years old, having its Registered Office   )

 at – Building No. 04, Mubarak                )

 Complex, V.B. Nagar, Kurla   (West),    )

 Mumbai – 400070                                   )…Petitioners

1.    The State of Maharashtra,                      )

2.    Municipal Corporation of Greater            )

3.    Maharashtra Pollution Control Board,     )

To

THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHEWETH :-

1.  The Petitioner is a Mumbai based Non – Governmental Organisation (N.G.O.), for Social Welfare and Education, having Registration No. 1053-2011 G.B.B.S.D., having its Registered Office at the address as shown in the ‘Cause Title’ of the above Petition and as such, is engaged in the welfare of the society at large.

2. The Respondent No.1 is the State of Maharashtra; Respondent No.2, is a Statutory Civil Authority established under the provisions of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 and the Respondent No.3, is the Pollution Control Board of the State of Maharashtraimplements a range of environmental legislation in the State of Maharashtra and functions under the administrative control of Environment Department of the Government of Maharashtra.

3. The Petitioners by way of the present petition are aggrieved by the dismal condition of the coastal water of the city of Mumbai, which is polluted to the most extreme level, which is dangerous to the entire ecosystem and the public at large has been complaining about the same. Pertinently, the Petitioners, have personally surveyed the coastal areas of Mumbai City, to find out about the effects and causes of Water Pollution and have also read about the same, in several newspaper articles wherein, they (Newspaper Articles) have relied upon several reports on the causes and effect/impact of pollution of the coastal water and in one such report, which is formulated by one Institute known as, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, which was published in Mirror Now, in its online article dated 15th May 2017, it is stated based on their survey that

4. Pertinently the Respondent No.3, had conducted a survey which was reported in an article published by English Daily – ‘Hindustan Times’ dated 18/07/2017 wherein, it is stated that the Respondent No. 3 analyzed the water quality along Mumbai’s Coast Line during the period between January and May, 2017, in order to create a Water Quality Index (WQI). The quality of coastal water at Juhu, Girgaum and Haji Ali recorded 44, 45 and 45.2 WQI levels. Whereas, Mahim recorded 45.2, Worli Sea-face 46.1, Nariman Point 46.8 and Dadar Chowpatty 46.8 respectively. According to the readings WQI levels between 38 and 50 are classified as polluted; a reading between 63 and 100 indicates clean water. Mithi’s WQI is 28, which means highly polluted water. The reason which the Respondent No.3 assigned for the polluted costal water are insufficient sewage treatment and untreated sewage from slums. Hereto annexed and marked Exhibit ‘C’ is the computer generated printout of the said article dated 18/07/2017, published in said English Daily ‘Hindustan Times’.

5. Moreover, according to several other reports other than the reports/surveys conducted by the Respondent No.3, also spell out the reasons as to why Mumbai’s Coastal Waters are dirtiest/ most polluted in the world and the same is not only dangerous/harmful to the well-being of the residents of Mumbai City, but also hazardous to plants as well as, aquatic/marine life and the same has also been reported by India Times News published online on 3rd April 2017, wherein it has also been reported based on survey done by one – Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany, which revealed that the litter on the four beaches in Mumbai, viz., Juhu, Versova, Dadar and Aksa ; there were 68.83 items of waste/debry, per sqm. and the majority of such waste/debry consisted of micro-plastics (41.85%)  ranging in size from 1mm to 5mm. Hereto annexed and marked Exhibit ‘D’ is the computer generated print out of the said article dated 3rd April 2017.

6. Further, according to a study done/conducted/ carried- out by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, the level of faecal coliform (FC) — a bacterium found in human and animal excreta — is between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the permissible limit set by law, and  the said study is focused on the impact of sewage discharges on the water quality on the west coast, which further reveals/unearths/brings to light that even the slightest intake of such contaminated sea water by a resident swimming therein, could lead to gastrointestinal illnesses like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, headaches, fevers, respiratory infections and skin and eye irritation. The same has been reported by the English Daily ‘Hindustan Times’ dated 25/07/2016. Hereto annexed and marked Exhibit ‘E’ is the computer generated print-out of the said article dated 25th July,

7. The Petitioners state that they have personally visited the coastline of Mumbai on 30-07-2017, and were shocked, surprised and dismayed to notice that there are several points along the coastline at Marine Drive, Mumbai, where they found that the sewage is discharged through big sewage pipes directly into the Arabian Sea at the coast line itself whereas, it is the duty and the responsibility of the Respondent No.2 – Corporation, to discharge sewage at the distance of about 3.7kms from the coast line, which is a practice followed world-wide in-order to keep the coast line clean. Hence, the Corporation is itself flouting with the rule of law, which is one of the primary reason for contamination/pollution of coastal water, which as aforesaid has resulted in Mumbai’s coastal water as being one of the most polluted in the world. Hereto annexed and marked Exhibit ‘F’ are the photographs dated 30-07-2017, of the points along the coast line at Marine Drive, Mumbai, which shows that sewage is being discharged from a big sewage pipe, for which the Respondent No.2 – Corporation is wholly and solely responsible.

8. The Petitioners state that when they visited Mumbai’s Coastline they found that the trees which are planted on the promenade/footpath there, have no leaves on that part of the tree which are facing the coastline and the same is because of the spill over of the coastal water on the trees, during high tides and the same further establishes the fact that the water is polluted to extreme levels which is prima facie unfit/dangerous/hazardous to entire ecosystem. Hereto annexed and marked as Exhibit ‘G’ are the photographs such trees at the Marine Drive at Mumbai.

9. The Petitioners further state that the Respondent No.2, are fully aware that they are not treating all the waste at the sewage treatment plants in Mumbai, to the optimum/prescribed level, in order to make it fit for releasing the same into the sea. Moreover the Respondents have further contributed in making Mumbai’s sea, as one of the most polluted in the world, by being aware of the fact that about 25% of waste/sewage is directly discharged into the sea without receiving/ being subjected to any kind of treatment of whatsoever nature, as the same is the sewage released /discharged from slums and small scale industries loacted in the vicinity of the Mithi River. The Respondent No. 2 – Corporation is turning a blind eye to the unabated/uninterrupted flow of such untreated sewage by slum dwellers, which accounts for about 25% sewage generated on a daily basis in Mumbai City. The Respondent No.2 as well as the Respondent No.1, have to come up with a clear policy to cut down the flow of such sewage by slum dwellers by formulating a law in that regard or by way of imposition of a provision under the existing laws, by way of amendment. Hereto annexed and marked Exhibit ‘H’ are the photographs dated 30-07-2017, clicked by the Petitioners at ‘Mithi River’, Dharavi, showing the amount of garbage accumulated/gathered on the surface of the said river and the same also shows, that the sewage is discharged from the slums directly into the said river, as the sewage discharge pipes are clearly visible therein. Thus, the Respondent No.2, has not laid out the drainage system in the slum areas, which as per reports accounts to 25% of untreated sewage into the sea.

10. The Petitioners further state that as per various surveys conducted relating to the impact/effect of contaminated sea water on the fishes consumed by the residents of Mumbai, which are caught by fishermen within certain kilometres of the coastline, have concluded/held that if, such fishes are consumed then, the same is dangerous to human life, as such fishes carry toxicants, on account of pollution in the sea.

11. That therefore, this Hon’ble Court be pleased to issue writ of mandamus or any other writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction and thereby, frame appropriate guidelines to stop the pollution of the coastal waters of Mumbai City.

12. That this Hon’ble Court be further pleased to direct the Respondents to discharge the sewage at an appropriate distance and stop discharging the same at the coast line;

13. That this Hon’ble Court be further pleased to direct the Respondents to immediately frame appropriate policy/law in-order to stop the flow of sewage into the ‘Mithi River’, by laying dranage system in the vicinity of the said river and also, to impose penalty on all the dwellers and industrial houses in the vicinity of the said river in case they are found discharging the same in the said river.

14. That this Hon’ble Court be further pleased to direct the Respondents to upgrade its sewage treatment plants and also further, be pleased to direct them to form a mechanism to verify whether all the sewage treated at such plants is treated to its optimum level.

15. That this Hon’ble Court be pleased to direct the respondents to increase the number of sewage treatment plants in Mumbai.

16. That pending the hearing and final disposal of the above Petition this Hon’ble Court be pleased to appoint a commission to assist this Hon’ble Court with regard to the subject-matter of the above Petition.

17. That the Petitioner has filed the above Petition in a great hurry/urgency and therefore, the Petitioner reserves the right with the leave of this Hon’ble Court to add/alter and/or amend any of the above grounds, and also to correct any technical/provisional requirement of law, if any, with the leave of this Hon’ble Court.

18. That, the petitioner has not filed any petition in this matter before this Hon’ble High Court or Supreme Court of India, touching the subject-matter of the above Petition.

19. To the petitioner’s knowledge the Respondent have not filed any caveat application under Section 148-A of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 in this matter.

20. That the Petitioner has no other efficacious remedy but, to approach this Hon’ble Court by way of the above Petition which is in the interest of the Public at large.

21. The Petitioner has paid the prescribed court fees

22. That the reliefs as prayed for, is granted then no loss, harm, damage, prejudice, and/or injury shall be caused to the Respondents however, if the same are not granted then the same shall result in grave loss, harm, prejudice and injury to the Petitioner, and the same cannot be compensated in terms of money. Moreover, the non grant of reliefs shall result in travesty and miscarriage of justice.

23. That the Pan Card Number of the Petitioner is

24. That the above Petition is not barred by the law of limitation.

25. That the Petitioner source of in-formation is based on the Exhibits and also personal knowledge as spelled-out hereinabove.

26. That the Petitioner has no personal interest save and except, that the same is filed in the interest of the public at large.

27. That this Hon’ble Court has the exclusive jurisdiction to try, entertain and dispose of the above Petition.

• that this Hon’ble Court be pleased to issue writ of mandamus or any other writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction and thereby, frame appropriate guidelines to stop the pollution of the coastal waters of Mumbai City;

• that this Hon’ble Court be further pleased to direct the Respondents to discharge the sewage at an appropriate distance and stop discharging the same at the coast line;

• that this Hon’ble Court be further pleased to direct the Respondents to immediately frame appropriate policy/law, in-order to stop the flow of sewage into the ‘Mithi River’, by laying drainage system in the vicinity of the said river and also, to impose penalty on all the dwellers and industrial houses in the vicinity of the said river in case they are found discharging the same in the said river;

• that this Hon’ble Court be further pleased to direct the Respondents to upgrade its sewage treatment plants and also further, be pleased to direct them to form a mechanism to verify whether all the sewage treated at such plants is treated to its optimum level;

• that this Hon’ble Court be pleased to direct the respondents to increase the number of sewage treatment plants in Mumbai;

• That pending the hearing and final disposal of the above Petition this Hon’ble Court be pleased to appoint a commission/panel of experts to assist this Hon’ble Court with regard to the subject-matter of the above Petition;

• for any other and further order as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper, be passed.

• India wins 131-50 over Bhutan in its final game and were named the champions for the 2nd SABA U16 Zone Championship.
• Guard Binod Rajak and Centre Princepal Singh both led the team with 20 points each.
• India had 7 players scoring in double figures.
• India qualifies for the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship that will be held in Malaysia later this year.

• India wins 131-50 over Bhutan in its final game and were named the champions for the 2nd SABA U16 Zone Championship.
• Guard Binod Rajak and Centre Princepal Singh both led the team with 20 points each.
• India had 7 players scoring in double figures.
• India qualifies for the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship that will be held in Malaysia later this year.

• Arbaaz Khan
• Sunny Leone
• Rajeev Walia (Director)

• Geneva, Switzerland, (14 September 2017)

  Unregulated finance remains at the heart of today’s hyperglobalized world, and the failure to tame it and

  address the deep-seated inequalities it has generated threatens efforts to build inclusive economies, a United

  Nations report says.

  The UNCTAD Trade and Development Report 2017: Beyond Austerity – Towards a GlobalNew Deal

  underlines that, despite all the talk of the urgency of reform at the time of the financial crisis, and recent

  claims that the financial system is safer, simpler and fairer, regulatory actions have so far done little more

  than clip the wings of high-flying finance, with lending now somewhat backed by capital and a bit less

  trading in the shadows.

  “The public purse was used generously to prevent the financial sector going under in 2007/08, but the root

  causes of financial instability have not been addressed by national Governments or on a global scale,” said

  UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi.

  Looking back over the past decades, the grip of finance over entire economies has intensified, as shown by

  multiple indicators. Total banking sector assets since the 1990s have more than doubled in most countries,

  with peaks at over 300 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in some Organization for Economic

  Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies (figure 1). The Trade and Development Report 2017

  estimates that banking in developed countries is a $100 trillion sector, which now exceeds global income.

  Similarly, trends for developing and transition economies are showing peaks above 200 per cent of GDP in

  some cases.

  A shaky global financial system

  The degree of bank concentration remains alarmingly high, a theme highlighted across this year’s report. In

  many countries, the globally consolidated balance sheets of the top five banks are greater than national

  income. For many economies, the external asset and liability positions of their domestic sectors are also

  greater than their GDP. “This is a shaky state for the global financial system,” Dr. Kituyi said.

  Financialization has been accompanied by the rise of indebtedness across the non-financial sector, increasing

  to 188 per cent of global GDP prior to the crisis. Despite the debt-driven growth model ending disastrously

  in 2008, this trend reached a record 230 per cent of GDP in 2016. With household debt rising and the wage

  share moving in the opposite direction (figure 2), the links between indebtedness and insecurity are

  increasingly difficult to ignore.

  Income inequality widens still further

  The report discusses how these trends are closely related, with inequality worsening. It shows that the
• income gap between the top 10 per cent and the bottom 40 per cent has widened in the run up to four out of

  five financial crises across the world since the late 1970s. And in their aftermath, inequality continued to rise

  in two thirds of the cases. The mechanisms are complex and vary from country to country, but put succinctly,

  the story is: the “great escape” of top incomes breeds underconsumption, private debt and speculative

  investment in a context of enhanced capture of regulatory agendas, making the financial system more

  vulnerable, hence the crises. And in the recovery process, the poor bear the consequences of adjustment as

  they lose income and employment amid austerity policies.

  Figure 1: Financialization: Total banking assets

  (Percentage of GDP)

  Source: UNCTAD secretariat.

  Note: Selected OECD economies include France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, the

  United Kingdom and the United States of America. Selected developing and transition economies include

  Brazil, Chile, China, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey.

  Figure 2: Non-financial sector debt versus labour income share

  (Percentage of GDP)
• Source: UNCTAD secretariat.

  Note: See figure 1 for list of selected economies.

  For more informaon, please contact:

  UNCTAD Communicaons and Informaon Unit

  T: +41 22 917 5828

  T: +41 79 502 43 11

  E: unctadpress@unctad.org

  Web: unctad.org/press

Remineder for Indo-Brussels Road Show

• Registration time: 6:30 PM, 18 September,2017 (Monday), Hotel Vivanta by Taj-Ambassador, Khan Market, New Delhi