NGT slaps Rs 5-crore interim fine on Mohali pharmaceutical unit
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed an interim fine of Rs 5 crore on a pharmaceutical unit, Nector Life Sciences Limited, Haibatpur in Mohali, for reportedly discharging chemical effluent in agricultural fields, causing damage to crops.
The pharma unit, manufacturing antibiotics, allegedly discharged water containing cephalosporin antibiotics—a highly toxic and difficult-to-degrade product.
"Since in the present financial year, the amount of environmental compensation at 0.5 per cent of the turnover (Rs 1,698.66 cr) comes to about Rs 8.5 crore, we find it appropriate to impose an interim environmental compensation of Rs 5 crore, which shall be deposited by the unit with the PSPCB within two months," the Tribunal said in an order on Thursday.
The NGT also came down hard on the Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PSPCB) for failing to discharge its statutory functions effectively. It directed the board to initiate criminal proceedings against the bulk drug manufacturing unit. The final compensation amount would be determined at a later stage.the NGT Bench comprising its chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said, “Considering the entire record, we are clearly of the view that the industry has failed to comply with the provisions of environmental laws, particularly the Water Act, and has consistently violated its provisions while its zero liquid discharge (ZLD) status has not been achieved till date.” —TNS
