The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed an interim fine of Rs 22.5 crore on 6-builders in Haryana's Sonipat area for breaking environmental laws. According to the NGT, the violations are serious in nature and compensation should be a precautionary measure.
Head of bench NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
also formed a joint committee comprising representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministryof Environment and Forests and IIT-Delhi to suggest the actual compensation
received from them.
NGT imposed environmental compensation of Rs 10 crore on TDI Infrastructure Ltd for Kingsburry Apartments, Rs 2.5 crore on TDI Infrastructure Ltd for My Floor Project in Sector-60, Tuscan City, CMD Built-Tech Private Limited. Ltd. , Parker Estate Development Pvt. Ltd., and Narang Constructions & Financiers Pvt. Ltd.
According to the NGT, during an
inspection, it was found that the duration of the violations was more than 2
years, the turnover of the projects is in hundreds of crores, and the deficiencies
are in the knowledge of the project defenders who are regularly in business.
Now bench further discussed,
"Although the environment is invaluable, the amount of money the
environment should have is sufficient to restore the environment and there
should be a preventive aspect to it so that such violations are not profitable.
No attitude of any kind can be shown. Even nor can such cases be unnecessarily
increased”.
The NGT ordered the Haryana Chief Secretary to investigate
the matter, citing vigilance to determine willful and collective violations of
the law. The NGT further said that the
Chief Secretary can also manage corrective action for speedy implementation of
environmental laws in concern of the health of the citizens.
The Green Tribunal also said that
the amount can be recovered by the State Pollution Control Board and used on
the recovery of the environment. The interim compensation will be
done in the light of the report of the Joint Committee, including the hearing
of the affected parties, with due process to be followed by the final
determination of compensation by the State Pollution Control Board.
