Pay Rs 5K fine for burning leaves, garbage, plastic in open

The Department of Environment, Government of NCT of Delhi, on Tuesday issued an order directing all sanitary inspectors and deputy tehsildars in the city to impose an environmental fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone found burning leaves, garbage, plastic, rubber or self-moulding compound in the open.

The order follows directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the case Vardhaman Kaushik Vs Union of India & Ors regarding air pollution control in Delhi.

The NGT had prohibited open burning of all kinds of waste through orders passed in 2014 and 2015.

It also ruled that anyone burning garbage, leaves, plastic, rubber or similar materials must pay Rs 5,000 as compensation instantly.

The latest order instructs the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantonment Board and all district administrations to ensure strict compliance.

Sanitary inspectors and deputy tehsildars have been designated as the officers authorised to collect the fine on the spot.

Monthly reports on the number of fines issued and the total amount collected must be sent to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee without fail, the order stated.

The move comes as Delhi continues to battle severe winter air pollution, with open waste burning identified as one of the major local sources of PM2.5 and PM10.