Green Court asks for fresh report from the official within six weeks
Srinagar: In order to stop dumping of municipal solid waste on the banks of Poonch river, the National Green Court(NGT) imposes fine on District Magistrate Poonch for failing to comply with court orders and directs the official to file fresh report within six weeks.
In the order dated May 24, 2024 the NGT had observed that the Deputy Commissioner Poonch had not made it clear as to why the action was not taken for the realization of Environmental Compensation imposed by J&K Pollution Control Committee. In that background, a fresh report was sought from the Deputy Commissioner Poonch.
“No fresh report has been filed by the District Magistrate Poonch till now. Hence, we impose a cost of Rs 10,000 upon Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate Poonch for not complying with the order and for not filing the report”, read the latest order of the NGT.
The Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal in its fresh order has directed the Deputy Commissioner Poonch to file a report in terms of the order dated May 24, 2024 within four weeks.
The tribunal has also directed the DC Poonch to disclose the status of the allotment of land for solid waste management by the Municipal Council Poonch.
The order further reads that the fresh report of the CEO Municipal Council Poonch reveals that 50,000 metric tons of legacy waste is dumped at Ward No.11 Poonch.
“There is no timeline indicated for clearing the legacy waste. The CEO, appearing virtually, admitted that even today after processing 8 tons of waste out of 11 TPD at least three tons of unprocessed daily waste is added to the legacy waste.
The order dated May 24, 2024 indicates that J&K Pollution Control Committee had levied Environmental Compensation for violation up to January 31, 2024 therefore for the subsequent violation by the Municipal Council Poonch, the requisite action to impose the Environmental Compensation is required to be taken by J&K Pollution Control Committee.
The Tribunal has directed the JKPCC, Municipal Council Poonch and Deputy Commissioner Poonch to file a fresh report within six weeks .