NGT refrains from levying ₹750-crore environmental fine on Jharkhand govt.

The NGT is monitoring compliance with Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental issues by states and Union Territories.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has refrained from levying a ₹750-crore environmental compensation on the Jharkhand government for improper management of solid and liquid waste.

The tribunal also noted the state government's undertaking that ₹1,114 crore had already been allocated for solid and liquid waste management.

According to data presented by the state's chief secretary, there still existed huge gaps in management of solid and liquid waste, a bench comprising Chairperson Justice A.K. Goel said.

"Compensation of ₹750 crore may be liable to be levied on the state but it does not appear to be necessary to do so in view of statement of the chief secretary that a sum of ₹1,114 crore will be credited to a ring fenced account for being spent within one year to bridge the gaps in waste management by a specific action plan to be executed within one year," the bench also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel said.

The bench observed that a paradigm shift in handling of the situation was required as the nagging problem of waste management stared the administration in the face and remained unresolved to the detriment of the environment and public health.

"First change required is to set up a centralised single-window mechanism for planning, capacity building and monitoring of waste management at the state level," the bench said.

The single-window mechanism should be headed by an officer of the rank of additional chief secretary with representation from the departments of Urban Development, Rural Development, Environment and Forest, Agriculture, Water Resources, Fisheries and Industries, the bench said.