NGT’s Stern Action Against Environmental Irregularities

NGT's Stern Action Against Environmental Irregularities

VoM News Desk | December 20, 2023 | 08:52 AM IST | Breaking News, Climate & Environment | Follow on Google News

NGT’s Stern Action Against Environmental Irregularities

NGT’s Stern Action Against Environmental Irregularities

The National Green Tribunal recently took a firm stand against lax responses and financial misappropriation by imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change for a vague and irrelevant reply regarding the psychological aspects of air pollution.

In its scathing observations, the tribunal rebuked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for misusing environmental compensation funds for unauthorized purposes, labeling it as a serious financial irregularity.

The tribunal initially issued notices to the ministry, CPCB, and three others, stressing the necessity for measures to control air pollutants that affect various human organs, especially the brain and psychological aspects..

Expressing dissatisfaction with the ministry and CPCB’s responses, the bench led by National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel criticized the lack of clarity and effective steps mentioned in their submissions to control air pollution.

The tribunal directed the ministry to file a supplementary reply within a month, clearly detailing the steps taken for monitoring and controlling air pollution, incurring a fine of Rs 25,000 for the vague initial response.

Additionally, it scrutinized the CPCB’s actions, highlighting the diversion of environmental compensation funds for unauthorized purposes, such as funding urban local bodies for road construction and mechanical road sweepers, which should be the statutory responsibility of these bodies.

Concerned about financial irregularities, the tribunal demanded complete transparency from the CPCB, seeking a detailed account of the environmental compensation funds and their utilization until November 30, 2023.

It warned of taking action against CPCB officials responsible for sanctioning or diverting funds for unauthorized activities.

The panel further emphasized that CPCB should focus solely on activities directly or indirectly linked to environmental protection, avoiding undertaking duties assigned to other statutory bodies.

The tribunal set a one-month deadline for the CPCB to respond and instructed the board to ensure strict adherence to fund utilization guidelines to prevent any misappropriation, stressing the severity of such financial irregularities in the name of environmental protection.

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