Today, On 20th September, A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has stayed an NGT order that directed the Punjab government to pay over Rs 1,000 crore for legacy waste management. The court also issued notices to the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in response to Punjab’s appeal challenging the NGT’s decision.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, On Friday, suspended a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that had imposed an environmental compensation exceeding Rs 1,000 crore on Punjab for its failure to manage legacy waste and untreated sewage.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notices to the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) following an appeal by the Punjab government. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi represented the state in its challenge against the NGT ruling.
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In its July 25 order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Punjab government, through its chief secretary, to deposit Rs. 10,261,908,000 as environmental compensation with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within a month.
The tribunal expressed its frustration over the state’s repeated non-compliance with environmental laws, stating,
“We are at pain to observe that the State of Punjab miserably failed in showing such compliance or any bonafide intention of compliance… Enough is enough. Now time has come where stringent, punitive, and preventive action is required.”
The NGT emphasized its responsibility to act, given the state’s persistent violations of environmental laws, particularly under Section 24 of the Water Act, 1974. The tribunal noted that municipal waste, also referred to as legacy waste, had been left unattended on barren land for years.
The issue of legacy waste management has been a long-standing environmental concern in Punjab. Legacy waste refers to untreated municipal waste that has accumulated over years and is often left in landfills or open spaces, leading to serious environmental hazards such as soil contamination, air pollution, and groundwater depletion.
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In Punjab, the improper management of this waste and untreated sewage has been an ongoing challenge, with significant non-compliance by the state in adhering to environmental laws.
The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications not only for Punjab but also for other states grappling with similar environmental challenges. It highlights the critical need for a concerted and collaborative effort between state governments, central authorities, and regulatory bodies to tackle the growing issue of environmental degradation in India.