SDMs, tehsildars to levy fine on open burning

The AAP government has empowered the SDMs and executive magistrates to levy compensation for burning leaves, waste plastic, rubber, self- moulding compounds and other such material in the open in the national capital. The government has also empowered these officers to levy compensation on violators of dust control measures while carrying out construction activities in the city.

The officials have been empowered to levy a compensation of ` 5,000 for burning leaves, waste plastic, rubber, self- moulding compounds and any such material in the open. As far as causing dust pollution during construction works is concerned, the officials can levy a compensation of ` 50,000 on the defaulters.

In his order, director ( environment) Anil Kumar said that any person who is found burning garbage, leaves, waste plastic and other such items in the open would be liable to pay compensation in terms of the Section 15 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for polluting the environment and would be liable to pay a sum of ` 5,000 to be paid instantaneously.

In a separate order, Mr Kumar said: “If any person, owner or builder is found to be violating any of the conditions stated in this order and or for their non- compliance, such person, owner, builder shall be liable to pay compensation of ` 50,000 per default in relation to construction activity at its site and ` 5,000 for each violation during carriage and trans- portation of construction material, debris through trucks or other vehicles.”

The order said that in pursuance of the NGT orders, SDMs, along with tehsildars ( executive magistrates) of the Delhi government, are authorised to carry out surprise inspection and special drives for dust control measures in the construction activities of plots with built up area between 400 square metres and 20,000 square metres and recommend the violations to respective area municipality to levy compensation on violators. The order said that the monthly action taken report is to be submitted without fail by the authorised officers to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

The government has issued these orders in line with series of directions passed by the National Green Tribunal to put an effective check on the rising pollution levels in the city. The NGT had passed a series of directives to the local administration to ensure effective steps were taken to check the rising pollution in Delhi.