Punjab fined Rs 2180 crore by the NGT for its failure to treat waste

Tags: State News

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a penalty of Rs 2,180 crore on the Punjab government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste, leading to a huge gap in their generation and treatment. 

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel said corrective action could not wait for an indefinite period and health issues could not be deferred for long.

It said the compliance of environmental norms on the subject of waste management had to be high on priority. The government has to provide funds for this purpose.

It asked the state government to deposit the fine amount in a separate fund which will be used to build infrastructure for treatment of waste.

The NGT is monitoring compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental issues by states and Union territories. 

IMPORTANT FACTS -

National Green Tribunal :

• It deals with cases relating to the environment protection and conservation of forest.
• It was set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice.
•  New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.\
• Chairperson  : Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel