For Prelims: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), Suo Motu Cognisance, Reverse Osmosis (RO), Court, Bench, Subject, Affected Water System, Affected Population
For Mains: Environmental compliance, judicial activism, industrial pollution, water reuse, public health
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Supreme Court directed Rajasthan to fund Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants.
- The bench comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
- The affected water system is the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system.
- Approximately 20 lakh people are affected by the river pollution.
- The case was taken up on suo motu cognisance by the Supreme Court.
Why in the news?
The Supreme Court has directed the Rajasthan government to create a policy providing financial aid to industrial units that want to install Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants to curb pollution in the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system, which affects the lives of about 20 lakh people.
Summary
- The Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ordered Rajasthan to frame a comprehensive policy for financial assistance to industries setting up ZLD plants.
- The order came in a suo motu case on pollution in the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system, which has severely impacted the environment and about 20 lakh people.
- The court also directed the state to consider individual applications for ZLD plant and pipeline network funding until the policy is finalised, with proper technical verification.
Highlights
SC Order on Industrial Pollution
Supreme Court directs Rajasthan to financially assist industries in setting up Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants to treat industrial effluents.
Jojari-Luni-Bandi River System
Pollution in this river system has severely affected the environment and about 20 lakh people, prompting a suo motu case by the Supreme Court.
Financial Aid for ZLD Plants
Rajasthan government must frame a policy for financial support and also consider individual applications for ZLD plants and pipeline networks.
Background
The Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system in Rajasthan has faced severe industrial pollution due to untreated effluents from industries. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue, highlighting the failure of regulatory mechanisms to protect the environment and public health. The court's intervention underscores the role of the judiciary in enforcing environmental compliance.
Key Analysis and Impact
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is a water treatment process that eliminates liquid waste, converting it into solid residue and reusable water. By directing the state to fund ZLD plants, the court aims to make pollution control economically viable for industries. The order also mandates a pipeline network for treated water and reverse osmosis reject water, promoting water reuse. This could set a precedent for other states facing similar industrial pollution challenges.
Way Forward
The Rajasthan government must now draft a comprehensive policy for financial assistance, which could include subsidies, low-interest loans, or tax incentives. Until then, it must decide on individual applications with technical scrutiny. The success of this order depends on effective implementation and monitoring to ensure industries adopt ZLD technology and reduce river pollution.
Rajasthan connection
Matters for these Rajasthan exams:RPSC RAS 9/10RSSB 8/10
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
- A water treatment process that recovers all water from a system, leaving no liquid effluent to be discharged into the environment.
- Suo Motu Cognisance
- The power of a court to take notice of a matter on its own, without any petition being filed, especially in cases of public interest or rights violations.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO)
- A water purification technology that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from water.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system; affected population approx. 20 lakh
- Nodal Body: Supreme Court of India
- Legal Point: Suo motu cognisance
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap 'Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)' with 'Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)' or 'Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP)'. ZLD is a specific process that eliminates all liquid discharge, not just treatment.
Write these in mains answers
- Environmental compliance, judicial activism, industrial pollution, water reuse, public health
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Supreme Court has told the Rajasthan government to help industries pay for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants. ZLD plants clean all the dirty water from factories so that no polluted water goes into rivers. The court did this because the Jojari-Luni-Bandi rivers are very polluted, affecting about 20 lakh people.
- Supreme Court directed Rajasthan to fund Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants.
- The bench comprised Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.
- The affected water system is the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system.
- Approximately 20 lakh people are affected by the river pollution.
- The case was taken up on suo motu cognisance by the Supreme Court.
- Polity: Supreme Court and Judicial Activism
- Environment: Water Pollution and Industrial Effluents
Related concepts: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), Suo Motu Cognisance, Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which river system in Rajasthan is the subject of the Supreme Court's suo motu case on industrial pollution?
Explanation: The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of pollution in the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system. The other options are river systems in Rajasthan but not the ones in this case.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's order:
- 1.The Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to provide financial assistance for setting up Zero Liquid Discharge plants.
- 2.The order was passed in a case filed by an environmental NGO.
- 3.The court also directed the state to set up a pipeline network for reuse of treated water and reverse osmosis reject water.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the court directed financial aid for ZLD plants. Statement 2 is incorrect because the case was taken up on suo motu cognisance, not on a petition. Statement 3 is correct as the court ordered a pipeline network for treated water and RO reject water reuse.
- Q3Medium
Approximately how many people are affected by the pollution in the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system, as noted in the Supreme Court order?
Explanation: The Supreme Court noted that pollution has severely impacted the environment and the lives of approximately 20 lakh people. The other options are incorrect as per the court's observation.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary environmental objective of setting up Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants as directed by the Supreme Court?
Explanation: ZLD plants treat all liquid waste, recovering water for reuse and leaving no effluent to be discharged. This directly addresses river pollution. The other options are not the primary objective of ZLD.
Frequently asked questions
1. What did the Supreme Court order the Rajasthan government to do?
The Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to create a policy for providing financial assistance to industries wanting to install Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants.
2. Which river system is affected by industrial pollution in this case?
The Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system in Rajasthan is affected by industrial pollution.
3. How many people are affected by the pollution in the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system?
Approximately 20 lakh people are affected by the pollution.
4. What is Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)?
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is a water treatment process that eliminates liquid waste, converting it into solid residue and reusable water, so no effluent is discharged into the environment.
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- Original9 November 2026 · Read story
