- (1.) In our view, the Central Pollution Control Board is a necessary party to be impleaded as an additional respondent in this matter. Let notice be issued to the Central Pollution Control Board returnable after six weeks.
(2.) Learned counsel appearing for the National Human Rights Commission (for short "NHRC") states that pursuant to the directions, NHRC has conducted a survey regarding the problem of silicosis which is affecting a large number of people working at the premises of stone crushers, stone quarries, construction work, glass factories, quartz crushing factories, stone mines and other silicon dust producing plants, etc.
(3.) The preliminary report of NHRC shows that the problem of silicosis is prevalent in many States and further survey is to be conducted in this regard and since the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour, Union of India have to provide all necessary assistance, we direct the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour, Union of India to extend all further assistance to NHRC for further action in this regard. NHRC may take up the specific and confirmed cases of persons who are suffering from silicosis and shall recommend to provide immediate medical relief to them through the authorities concerned and in case of those persons who died because of silicosis, may provide for compensation through the authorities concerned.;