The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a stern stance against a chemical dye manufacturing unit in Amritsar, imposing an interim penalty of ₹1 crore and ordering its immediate closure. This decision follows repeated violations of environmental regulations by the factory, operated by M/s Amar Colour Chem India at Focal Point, Amritsar.
A four-judge bench, led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, directed the criminal prosecution of the factory directors for flagrant breaches of pollution norms. The tribunal criticized the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) for its failure to enforce regulations despite the factory's persistent violations.
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Citing the factory's continuous disregard for environmental laws, the NGT justified its order for closure until all violations are rectified, invoking the precautionary principle under Section 20 of the NGT Act, 2010. In addition to closure, the bench imposed an interim environmental compensation of ₹1 crore for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24, with the final amount to be determined by the PPCB after further assessment.
Petitioners, including members of the Public Action Committee, welcomed the NGT's stringent measures, calling it a landmark decision against polluters shielded by corrupt practices within the PPCB. They emphasized the need for robust enforcement and expressed hope that the penalties would deter future violations.
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In response to systemic failures, the NGT formed a high-powered committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB, and PPCB to oversee compliance and inspections. The petitioners urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to overhaul the PPCB, alleging persistent favoritism towards polluters.
PPCB officials defended their actions, citing a previously imposed penalty of ₹8.37 lakh on the industrial unit for violations and assuring compliance with NGT directives.
This decisive action by the NGT underscores the gravity of environmental violations and underscores the principle of accountability underpinning environmental laws. It sets a precedent for stricter enforcement and proactive measures to safeguard environmental integrity in industrial practices.
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