Penalty to be imposed if environment tax not paid

The National Green Tribunal, on Tuesday, said that any person refusing to pay environment compensation for causing air pollution would be slapped with an additional fine and served a notice to appear before it.

The tribunal directed the city government and the municipal corporations to serve notices to the violators who refuse to pay the penalty for causing emissions and degrading the environment.

“Delhi government and the corporations state that in terms of the orders passed by the tribunal, they issued notices to pay environment compensation, varying from ` 1,000 to ` 5 lakh and relatable to different violations depending on the area. However, some of the noticees refused to pay the amount,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The view that refuses to pay environment compensation shall be served notice and simultaneously asked to appear before the NGT. We make it clear that they would be liable to pay additional costs.”

The green panel also asked the Delhi government to take strict action against whoever violated its order related to burning of waste or generating dust emissions through construction activities.

The matter is listed for next hearing on November 24.

The tribunal had recently banned construction activity in Delhi- NCR after deadly smog blanketed the region. New Delhi, Nov. 21: Delhi’s air quality remained “very poor” for the third straight day on Tuesday and authorities warned that the situation may “worsen” in the coming days.

The air quality index ( AQI), as maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board ( CPCB), was 326 in a scale of 500.

Delhi environment minister Imran Hussain, in a letter to to the chief of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, said ambient air quality has improved comparatively but things will deteriorate.

“However, various meteorological forecasts and reports indicate that this phase is temporary and ambient air quality may once again worsen in the coming weeks,” Mr Hussain wrote.

He also issued a slew of directions, including road side spraying of water, mechanical sweeping and preventing burning of waste in the open to combat the rising pollution levels.

He said municipal bodies should avoid manual sweeping and in case alternates are not available then water must be sprinkled beforehand?.

“Provide electrical heater to security guards in cold winter night to discourage burning of biomass for heating. Non biomass heating facility should be provided at the night shelters,” he said.

◗ The tribunal directed the city govt and the civic bodies to serve notices to violators