Punjab failed to control sewage discharge into rivers, says NGT chief

Patiala, July 29

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, today called for reducing pollution.

Will question govt

Previous governments focussed on industrial development. We will raise questions if the current government fails to implement the NGT norms. — Balbir Singh Seechewal, Rajya Sabha MP

Justice Goel, along with Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal and Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, took part in a national conference on environment at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Patiala.

While talking about the penalty of Rs 100 crore imposed by the NGT on the state, he said, “The penalty was imposed for violations, including failure to implement waste management rules, and flow of sewage into rivers. We will use these funds for restoration purposes. The guidelines were issued to implement the orders by April 7, 2021, but to no avail. Similarly, the Supreme Court fixed the deadline (March 31, 2018) to stop flow of sewage into rivers.”

Meet Hayer said the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the district administrations were working to set up sewage treatment plants. He said, “For us the environment is equally important. We will take action against those who violate the NGT guidelines.”

Seechewal said the previous governments focussed on industrial development. “It is everyone’s duty to address the issue. We will raise questions if the current government also fails to implement the norms.”

Rahul Tiwari, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, said, “We are educating farmers about ill effects of stubble burning.”