Green tribunal slaps Rs 2,232 crore fine on Delhi Govt for letting waste pile up in city

Green tribunal slaps Rs 2,232 crore The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Delhi government to pay Rs 2,232 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid and liquid waste.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel examined the data presented by the Delhi Chief Secretary and pointed out that there were gaps in the management of solid and liquid waste in the national capital. The tribunal put the legacy waste added in the last three years in the capital at 50 lakh tonnes since the current generation of waste exceeds the amount that is processed in various facilities.

The bench observed that on the pattern of compensation in respect of other states a  compensation of Rs  3,132 crore is liable to be levied on the Delhi government comprising Rs  2,142 crore for liquid waste and Rs 990 crore for solid waste.

The payment has to be made within a month and it will be the responsibility of the chief secretary, Delhi to get the amount credited to a separate ring-fenced account, the tribunal ruled.

Deducting the compensation of Rs 900 crore already levied for solid waste,  the remaining amount of Rs 2,232 crore has to be paid by the city government on the “polluter pays” principle, the bench said.

The amount has to be used for tackling the “emergent situation prevailing in Delhi, posing danger to the safety of the citizens,” and for remedying the continuing damage to the environment, the bench added.

The tribunal had, in October last year, directed the Delhi government to pay Rs 900 crore as environmental compensation, following which the authorities had filed a review petition.

The amount of Rs 900 has to be paid now with the additional amount of Rs  2,232 crore,” the tribunal said.