NGT Rs 5,000 fine on use of plastic in Chandigarh
In an effort to make the city pollution-free, the National Green Tribunal today announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone found using or dealing with plastic material in Chandigarh.
It also slammed the Chandigarh administration and civic authorities for their lackadaisical approach in implementing the ban order on plastic.
“There shall be complete prohibition on use of plastic and allied material in Chandigarh. Plastic will not be used for any purpose whatsoever.
“Any person found using or dealing with plastic material in that area would be liable to pay environmental compensation for degradation of environment at the rate of Rs 5,000 per incident,” a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The Tribunal’s direction came while hearing a plea by Chandigarh resident Rishi Dev Anand who has alleged “gross failure” in waste management system and delay in tackling garbage disposal in Union Territory of Chandigarh.
The green panel noted that 370 metric tonnes of garbage was produced daily in Chandigarh which was being dumped unscientifically.
Anand has sought directions to take immediate steps for waste management system and garbage disposal in Chandigarh for restoration of environment.
The green panel had earlier issued notices to Chandigarh administration and the municipal corporation over solid waste management system in the city.
The petition had sought directions to file sector-wise complete status report regarding collection, segregation and disposal of municipal solid waste from Chandigarh.
It has alleged that the local administration and the municipal corporation have utterly failed to tackle garbage disposal problem in the city, particularly the overflowing garbage in the peripheral areas of the city.
