NGT directs Sonepat DC to issue speaking order for Barhi units

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Sonepat to issue a speaking order to recover Environmental Compensation (EC) from industries in Barhi accused of violating pollution norms and illegally extracting groundwater.

This directive comes after the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dismissed a petition from 24 industrialists. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) had initially imposed an EC of Rs 157 crore on 24 industries in the HSIIDC industrial zone for pollution violations, prompting the industrialists to approach the high court.

Following a complaint, the NGT asked the HSPCB to submit a report. After review, the Deputy Commissioner reduced the EC from Rs 96 crore to Rs 24 lakh, leading the complainant to file an execution application with the NGT against the reduction.

In response, the NGT deemed the Deputy Commissioner’s decision unjustified and ordered restoration and recalculation of the EC based on norms established on November 29, 2022. Consequently, the EC was recalculated, increasing it from Rs 96 crore to Rs 157.19 crore, and show-cause notices were served on the industries.

The industrialists then appealed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which disposed of their petition. Following the high court’s ruling, the NGT directed compliance with its previous order dated November 29, 2022.

The NGT further instructed the Sonepat DC to pass a detailed speaking order within three months and address the pending execution application.