The Punjab government has been fined over Rs 2,000 crore by the National Green Tribunal for failing to treat solid and liquid waste, resulting in a vast gap between their generation and treatment. A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel stated that corrective action cannot be delayed indefinitely, nor can health issues. “The State’s responsibility is to establish a comprehensive plan to regulate pollution, which is its absolute liability, which is not understood.”
“If there is a gap in budgetary allocations, it is for the state and only the state to have appropriate planning by cutting costs or augmenting resources,” the bench stated. It stated that compliance with environmental standards for waste management must be a top priority. The entire compensation, according to the NGT, is Rs 2,180 crore. The Punjab government has already deposited Rs 100 crore with the tribunal for its failure to control the discharge of untreated sewage and solid garbage. “The remaining sum of Rs 2,080 crore may be placed in a separate ring-fenced account by the State of Punjab within two months,” the bench added.
(source : PTI)
