The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 3 has slapped a fine of Rs 25 crore on Delhi Government for its failure to curb the problem of air pollution in the city.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked Arvind Kejriwal-led govt to deposit the fine amount with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure that there is no further lapse in this regard.
The NGT also directed that if the Delhi government fails to pay the fine timely, a huge penalty of Rs 10 crore per month will be charged on them.
The NGT further added that the amount will be deducted from the salaries of the Delhi government officials and people polluting the environment.
The development comes in the wake of the Supreme Court asking the CPCB to prosecute government officials for not acting on around 250 complaints received by it from citizens.
In SC’s order in November, the bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta had said officials who have failed to act on the complaints were required to be prosecuted.
Despite the clear directions by the top court, there is hardly any action for compliance of orders of the green tribunal and pollution level continues unabated in blatant violation of the law and under the nose of the authorities “who have hardly done anything concrete except furnishing excuses and helplessness”.
