The litterbugs who were slapped with a challan of Rs.5,000 for dirtying railway premises appeared before the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday, pleading leniency and promising that they would not litter in the future.
Fifteen of the 66 litterbugs who were challaned by the Railway authorities and then issued notices by the NGT to appear before it and cough up the fine, pleaded leniency. The Tribunal directed them to pay a fine of Rs.1,000 to the Railways.
It is to be noted that the NGT had ordered Railways to fine litterbugs an amount of Rs.5,000 for adding filth on its property — be it on tracks, platforms or even along the tracks — while the Railways Act allows for a maximum fine of Rs.500. Many of those prosecuted are residents of Railway colony.
Railways’ counsel Om Prakash informed the Tribunal that of the 66 people who have been issued notices, 25 are railway employees staying in railway colony along the tracks.
He said these employees, as per orders, will have Rs.5,000 deducted from their salaries.
Earlier, the DRM has issued them show cause notices asking as to why their allotment should not be cancelled for littering outside their houses.
Meanwhile, the Railways has taken up cleaning of the stretch from Sabzi Mandi to Azad Pur.
It is, however, facing a problem of 2,000 illegal jhuggies in Kabir Nagar and Azad Pur. Since the jhuggies fall under the safety zone of the railways which is 15 metre from the outermost railway track, the Railways is not obliged to rehabilitate them.
The Railways has taken a string of cleanliness measures following the NGT’s orders but is facing troubles when it comes to jhuggies on its land, which the DUSIB has to relocate.
Tribunal directs them to pay Rs.1,000 instead of Rs.5,000 to the Railways
