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Informist, Friday, Sep 20, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court today stayed a National Green Tribunal order penalising the Punjab government 10.26 bln rupees for the state's failure to effectively manage legacy waste and untreated sewage. A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud today issued notices to the Centre, Central Pollution Control Board and Punjab Pollution Control Board.

 

On Jul 25, the tribunal directed the state of Punjab, through the chief secretary, to deposit 10.26 bln rupees towards environmental compensation with the Central Pollution Control Board within one month and submit a compliance report. The tribunal noted that the Punjab government had also failed to comply with its 2022 order with regard to forming a ring-fence account of 20.80 bln rupees.

 

The tribunal had issued a notice to the chief secretary, State of Punjab and principal secretary and additional chief secretary, urban development to show cause as to why prosecution should not be made for non-compliance of its order. They are also required to show cause why a penalty under Section 15 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not be imposed for violation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 regarding handling, management and disposal of solid waste, the tribunal had said.

 

The tribunal observed that it was a serious situation where compliance of mandatory provisions of environmental laws, particularly in respect of discharge of effluent, is being observed in complete breach and with audacity. "Now, time has come where stringent, punitive and preventive action/order is required at the end of this Tribunal otherwise we will also be failing in our duty in taking appropriate steps despite noticing recurring, consistent and persistent defiance and non compliance of environmental laws on the part of State of Punjab and we do not want to be a party to this situation," the tribunal had observed. The tribunal was hearing a case on solid and liquid waste management by different states in the country.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Aditya Sakorkar

 

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