To curb pollution, Ghaziabad admin starts naming and shaming violators

GHAZIABAD: In a bid to curb pollution in the district, the administration has directed authorities to identify people involved in violation of norms and display their names, along with address, on a board at all government offices.

The district magistrate, Ajay Shankar Pandey, has rolled out the concept of naming and shaming erring persons as “Paryavaran Ke Shatru” (enemy of environment). An initial list of several persons allegedly involved in burning of garbage and stubble was put up at district headquarters on Sunday.

“After sending several messages and awareness about stoppage of garbage and stubble burning, some people are still engaged in burning activities. We have asked for imposition of penalty and also FIRs against such persons. A list will be similarly put up at every tehsil, block level offices, zonal offices of municipal corporation and also at the offices of the Ghaziabad Development Authority,” Pandey said.

The DM has written to administrative offices and different agencies to hold meetings with Gram Pradhans and councillors in order to stop burning of garbage and stubble in their respective areas. “A substantial penalty has been levied upon in number of instances of violation of environment norms. I have also directed that officials concerned will also be held accountable if violations persist in their areas,” he said.

Ghaziabad has been facing high pollution levels for the past several days. However, on Sunday, wind speed brought respite to the residents as the pollution levels came down with dispersal of pollutants in the city.