NGT Slaps Fine of Rs 25 Crore on AAP Government For Failing to Control Pollution in Delhi
The National Green Tribunal on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 25 crore on the Delhi government for failing to control pollution in the National Capital. In its previous order, the NGT ordered the government to shut down at least 51,000 industries running in non-conforming areas in Delhi.
New Delhi, December 03: The National Green Tribunal on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 25 crore on the Delhi government for failing to control pollution in the national capital. In its previous order, the NGT ordered the government to shut down at least 51,000 industries running in non-conforming areas in Delhi. The tribunal said that if the Arvind Kejriwal-led government fails to pay the fine, then Rs 10 crore per month would be charged from the government. Delhi Pollution: Air Quality Index at Lodhi Road Remains Under 'Poor' Levels, Thick Haze Engulfs City
According to the tribunal, the Delhi government should recover the amount from the people polluting the environment and also from the salaries of the officials who failed to control the menace. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to provide a performance guarantee of Rs 25 crore with the apex pollution monitoring body. The tribunal was hearing pleas filed by Mundka village resident Satish Kumar and Tikri-Kalan native Mahavir Singh alleging pollution caused by burning of plastic, leather, rubber, motor engine oil and other waste materials and continuous operation of illegal industrial units dealing with such articles on agricultural lands in Mundka and Neelwal villages.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prosecute government officials for not taking action on the complaints of citizens. On Monday, the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi is 314, which falls in the “very poor” category. Earlier, the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) banned the entry of trucks into the city between November 8 and November 10 and also has extended the ban on industries using coal and biomass including brick kilns, which was extended till November 12. However, the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA lifted the ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi on November 13.
(With inputs from PTI)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2018 05:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).