The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to take a ‘clear stand’ on emissions caused by coal-based thermal power plants, which result in air pollution.
Rapping the CPCB for not taking action against thermal power plants, whose emissions exceed permissible limits, a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said, “The Environment Ministry had issued a notification on air pollution emission standards and water consumption for coal-based thermal power plants. Show us one plant where compliance has been done.”
Notice violation
Further, the green panel directed the CPCB to verify whether certain thermal power plants were in violation of the notice issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
“We intend to issue directions wherever there is non-compliance,” warned the Bench. The Tribunal was hearing a plea filed by environmentalist Sunil Dahiya, who had alleged that notification issued by the Ministry in December 2015 had not been implemented by the authorities.
“Although the time frame provided in the notification for implementation of standards prescribed therein is two years from the date of notification, no efforts till date have been made by the Ministry to enforce these standards,” read the plea. The NGT had earlier come down heavily on the Ministry for not complying with its directions.
