The National Green Tribunal directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to evolve a mechanism for ascertaining the environment compensation to be recovered from polluting industries by reviewing its current one.
‘No delay’
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said compensation should be levied promptly and there should be no delay.
“Let HSPCB review its mechanism and evolve a new one where the calculation is made as soon as pollution is detected. If for final compensation time is taken, interim compensation may be filed promptly,” it said.
The directions came when the green panel was hearing a plea moved by the Bandhua Mukti Morcha that sought action against pollution caused by ready mix concrete plant, ceramic plant and extraction of groundwater in Faridabad.
A report furnished to NGT had said pollution was taking place following which the green bench had sought an affidavit to be filed about the recovery of environmental compensation.
Noting the submissions made in the affidavit, the Bench said: “The affidavit states that environment compensation will be assessed by an expert committee. Since the matter is pending for more than eight months, the compensation assessment should have been prompt. Once the formula is available, the clerical calculation should not require a mechanism where prompt action is not possible.”
