The Hindu : National : Court records France's statement on Clemenceau

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Saturday, Feb 18, 2006

National

National

Court records France's statement on Clemenceau

Legal Correspondent

Treats issue as closed, asks Centre to appoint expert panel

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday recorded the statement from the French Government that it had recalled warship `Clemenceau,' carrying hazardous asbestos sheets and awaiting entry into India's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Though the court treated the issue as closed, with a view to finding a long-term solution, it directed the Centre to appoint a committee of technical experts, with some of the members having Navy background to codify rules for ship breaking industry.

`Report within 8 weeks'

A Bench, comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S.H. Kapadia, asked the committee to go into the infrastructural facilities available, including the safety standards for workers, at Alang port in Gujarat and to suggest improvements for upgradation.

It directed the committee to submit its report within eight weeks while adjourning the hearing by 10 weeks.

The Bench pointed out that the problem was over for the time being but since the issue was a recurring one, some permanent guidelines and norms should be put in place for future.

The apex court had stayed the entry of the warship, which was to be broken in Gujarat, till confirmation that it was not carrying any hazardous substance as India could not treated as a dumping ground for toxic materials till these substances had been fully decontaminated.

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