NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday fined the Delhi government 25 crore for failing to take action to curb pollution in the capital, despite clear directions from the tribunal to do so.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel slapped the fine after learning that the government had not complied with its directions to control the practice of open burning in industrial areas around Mundka in west Delhi.
The tribunal asked the AAP government to furnish a deposit guarantee of Rs 25 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board.
The bench said despite clear directions, hardly any action had been taken on its orders and burning was taking place under the nose of authorities who were only furnishing "excuses".
The NGT was hearing pleas filed by Mundka residents, who alleged that pollution from burning of leather, plastic, oil and rubber by industrial units functioning illegally on farm lands in Mundka and Neelwal villages, had been causing serious pollution. The bench said the complaints had not been addressed for four-and-a-half years.
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