- विज्ञापन -
Ludhiana: The National Green Tribunal, in a recent order, had imposed environmental compensation of Rs 1026 crore on Punjab Government for failing in taking appropriate steps to manage the legacy waste as well as the untreated sewage discharge.
In the orders, NGT ordered state of Punjab through Chief Secretary to deposit Rs 1026 cores towards environmental compensation with CPCB within one month and submit a compliance report.
Earlier in September 2022, NGT had slapped a total compensation of Rs 2180 crore on Punjab government for its failure to prevent discharge of untreated sewage and solid waste and Punjab government had only deposited Rs 100 crore so far.
The NGT in the recent order further mentioned that since Chief Secretary has also failed in compliance of tribunal’s order dated September 22, 2022 with regard to creation of ring-fence account of Rs 2080 crores, this is clear that the order of this Tribunal has been defied and disobeyed which is an offence under section 26 of NGT Act, 2010.
The order further read that continuous violation and non-compliance and breach of mandate of Section 24 of Water Act, 1974 is also an offence under Section 43 of said Act and when offence is by Government Department, Section 48 is also attracted, which declares that Head of the Department shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be prosecuted against and punished.
NGT issued a notice to Chief Secretary, State of Punjab and Principal Secretary/Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development to show cause as to why prosecution for committing offences under Section 24 read with Section 43 and 48 of Water Act, 1974 and for non-compliance of Tribunal’s order under Section 26 of NGT Act, 2010 be not initiated in appropriate forum.
NGT provided one month time period to file the response. The matter is next listed on September 27.
