Rs 35-crore fine slapped on NFL Panipat for violating norms
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 35.84 crore on National Fertilisers Limited (NFL), Panipat, for violating the provisions of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
According to the action taken report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), HSPCB reported that NFL stored 1,22,600 MT of carbon slurry in two lined lagoons at its facility. Under the HOWM Rules, 2016, this carbon slurry should have been disposed of within 90 days, but the slurry still remains within the unit.
NFL informed the HSPCB that an agreement had been made with M/s Subham Sales Co, Rohtak, for the scientific disposal of the carbon slurry. The disposal process began in February 2024, and as of September 2024, 3,124.90 MT of carbon slurry had been lifted. However, 1,19,473.10 MT of carbon slurry is still stored at the NFL site.
A final hearing regarding the environmental compensation took place on October 9, chaired by Pardeep Kumar, Member Secretary of HSPCB, under the Environment Compensation Assessment Committee. The fine was imposed following NGT’s directives to HSPCB to take action against NFL for violations related to the storage and disposal of carbon slurry.
On August 28, the NGT had instructed HSPCB to impose environmental compensation on NFL for past violations and ensure its recovery.
