NGT Imposes Rs 1 Lakh Penalty on Pune Cantonment Board for Delay in Garbage Burning Case
Pune, 18th December 2024: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, took up a case concerning the open burning of garbage at the Hadapsar industrial dumping site in Pune, following a news report. The article highlighted the severe air pollution caused by open garbage burning in the Hadapsar area, affecting around 200 families. The report also mentioned a significant fire that had previously broken out at the depot, worsening the pollution problem.
The NGT, after taking cognizance of the issue, directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the District Magistrate of Pune to respond to the situation. However, during the hearing on December 10, 2024, it was revealed that the site in question falls under the jurisdiction of the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) and not PMC. As a result, the PCB was added as a respondent to the case.
Despite notices being served to the Pune Cantonment Board by both email and registered post, the Board failed to appear before the tribunal or file any response. The MPCB had earlier submitted a reply on July 30, 2024, mentioning that while directions had been issued to both the PMC and PCB, the latter did not respond to the MPCB’s requests.
The NGT expressed concern over the non-appearance of the PCB and its failure to provide a response, emphasizing that environmental pollution is a serious issue requiring immediate action. The tribunal stressed that the absence of the PCB could delay the resolution of the case and disrupt the judicial process. In response, the NGT imposed a penalty of Rs. 1,00,000 on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pune Cantonment Board for the inconvenience caused by the delay. The amount is to be deposited with the National Green Tribunal Bar Association and will be used to provide legal aid to applicants not represented by counsel.
The tribunal also directed the CEO of the Pune Cantonment Board to file a response within one month and appear virtually at the next hearing scheduled for January 27, 2025, to assist in the proper adjudication of the case.
A copy of the order has been sent to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and the CEO of the Pune Cantonment Board for compliance.
