NGT
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has fined the Punjab government Rs 1,026 crore for inadequate waste and sewerage management. The NGT says non-compliance is a crime under Section 26 of the NGT Act 2010.
The court will next hear the case on September 27. Punjab’s Chief Secretary must deposit Rs 1,026 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within a month. The Punjab government must also submit a compliance report.
The NGT has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary/Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development. They must explain why they should not face a case for violating Section 24 of the Water Act, 1974.
The case also involves the Ludhiana Municipal Council. Punjab currently holds 53.87 lakh tonnes of old waste, down from 66.66 lakh tonnes two years ago. At this disposal rate, it will take 10 years to manage all the waste.
The NGT criticized the Chief Secretary for not creating a ring-fence account as ordered in 2022. The Punjab government has deposited only Rs 100 crore out of the Rs 2,080 crore compensation.
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