PPCB pulled up for 'ignoring' violations

Ludhiana, July 12

The monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday pulled up officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board for ‘ignoring’ the violations in various industries. The panel also raised question on the pollution in water bodies and violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules.

The NGT committee also asked officials of the municipal corporation to find out sites for developing two bio-diversity parks in the city. The government is also planning to set up a bio-diversity park at the land near Mattewara forest.

A special meeting of the panel of the NGT was held today at Bachat Bhawan to review the progress of the environmental plan for Ludhiana. The meeting was presided over by the chairman of the committee Justice Jasbir Singh (retd). The meeting was attended by committee member Suvodh Agarwal (retired Chief Secretary), Environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik and others.

The chairman of the committee said penalties of around Rs 40 crore have been imposed on the departments, which failed to manage the solid waste as per the rules. He directed the departments to ensure management of waste and its segregation as per the norms. Those who fail to follow the rules would have to face more penalties, he added.

During the meeting, he gave instructions to the officials of various departments to follow the NGT orders to get the district rid of all forms of pollution. He also gave directions to the officials to complete the projects regarding solid waste management, sewerage treatment plants and others within the stipulated time frame otherwise penalties would be imposed.

Justice Singh said the district environmental plan should be finalised following the orders of the NGT and it must include deadlines for the management of solid waste, plastic waste, e-waste, industrial waste, construction and demolition waste, bio-medical waste, hazardous waste, air quality, water quality etc.

Meanwhile, he also directed the MC to promote rainwater harvesting system. Stressing on the need to waste segregation, he said the available machinery for waste management should be used properly.

Addressing the meeting, Seechewal said officials who do not comply with the orders of the NGT will be held accountable. Clean drinking water and clean air are issues related to humanity. Therefore, the authorities should also fulfil their moral duty. Efforts to keep the environment clean should be continued and treated water should be used for crops.