NGT slaps Rs 1 lakh fine on DPCC
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) after the committee submitted a report based on "hearsay" without verification on illegal denting and painting shops and burning of tyres in northeast Delhi.
The report furnished by the DPCC in compliance of its order was based on the stand of the Resident Welfare Association and not actual verification, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said.
The DPCC was directed by the NGT to conduct a fresh inspection at Gokulpur village in Shahdara to ascertain the facts, particularly with regard to alleged illegal denting and painting shops.
The tribunal stressed a representative of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) should supervise the inspection.
The NGT directed the DPCC to shut down the denting and painting work, "if found necessary and appropriate, as per law".
"The amount may be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within one month. For any delay, interest at the rate of 12 per cent per month will be payable. The personal responsibility to deposit cost will be of the member secretary, DPCC," the bench, also comprising Justice S P Wangdi, said.
The tribunal on August 24, had ordered the DPCC and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) to conduct an inspection in this regard.
It had also ordered the municipal corporation, DPCC and the DCP, of the area to take immediate action against such units in Gokulpur village.
The direction by the tribunal was followed by a plea filed by the Resident Welfare Association, which sought execution of the order of NGT banning tyre burning in open and closure of unauthorised units running in Shahdara area.
The NGT had earlier noted that various units like bakeries, welding shops and slaughter houses were functioning in residential areas without proper permission.
The tribunal would take coercive measures in terms of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 against the authorities concerned if there was non-compliance of its order, the tribunal had said.
