National Green Tribunal imposes Rs 1,026 crore fine on Punjab government

Chandigarh: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 1,026 crore on the Punjab government for failing to manage solid waste and sewage pollution.

The National Tribunal has issued a notice asking why action should not be taken against the higher officials for failing to comply with environmental norms.

The National Tribunal has directed the Punjab government to deposit Rs 1,026 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board within a month.

The tribunal’s decision comes as a setback for the Punjab government as the state is already going through a financial crisis. The National Tribunal has held that the Chief Secretary of Punjab has failed to comply with the orders passed on September 22, 2022.

The tribunal has issued show cause notices to the chief secretary and the principal secretary of the local government department.

It is learnt that following the orders of the National Tribunal, Chief Secretary Anurag Verma held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of the districts and pulled them up.