Cracking the whip on builders carrying out construction in areas over 2,000 square feet and flouting environmental norms, the National Green Tribunal has directed civic bodies and public authorities in Delhi-NCR to submit a list of such offenders.
The green panel has directed the municipal corporations of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana government to file complete status reports on the steps taken by them to curb air pollution caused by dust emissions.
The direction came during hearing of a case relating to air pollution in which it had last year issued notices to various persons to show cause why environmental compensation of Rs 50,000 not be imposed upon them for causing pollution.
While issuing notices, NGT had directed the concerned authorities to ensure their presence.
As over 100-noticees appeared in the tribunal and the court room got jam-packed today, NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the Registrar to deal with them.
“The list of all the builders who are constructing structure building in excess of 2000 square feet and who have violated the orders and the conditions imposed under the guidelines governing by them shall be furnished.
“The list shall be along with the explanation whether such builders have been directed to pay environmental compensation in terms of the order of the Tribunal or not. If it is not there, reasons thereof should be stated in the report,” a bench headed by Justice Kumar said.
Asking the Registrar to mark presence of each noticee, the bench said “if the noticee is willing to pay sum of Rs 50,000 on account of environmental compensation, the same may be accepted. They may be permitted to pay the amount to the Corporation. The amount be collected by each of the Corporation.
“Offenders who do not wish to pay the amount should be given liberty to file reply to show cause within two weeks … and those cases will be listed before the Tribunal for hearing and further orders.”
Advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for East Delhi Municipal Corporation, took the noticees to the Registrar to help them mark their presence.
The green panel had last year announced the fine of Rs 50,000 on those causing dust pollution, specially emanating from construction sites in the National Capital Region and had made wearing of masks by construction workers mandatory.
While announcing the fine on violators, it had also directed every builder and owner to put tarpaulin sheets around area of construction and said no person including them would be permitted to throw construction material on roads or open areas in the colonies.
( Source – PTI )
