NGT raps board for non-recovery of green compensation from Panipat builders

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) for the non-recovery of environmental compensation (EC) from builders Ansal and TDI here in a case regarding violation of pollution norms.

The board sought four weeks to recover the compensation and for the compliance of the orders passed against the builders. A Delhi-based environmentalist, Varun Gulati, had filed a complaint against the builders before the NGT.

The complainant alleged that Ansal and TDI had developed residential projects in Panipat, but the sewerage treatment plant (STP) was not functional and resulted in discharge of sewage in the green belt or into the drain.

He further alleged that the builders had not even obtained the consent to operate (CTO) and environmental clearance from the authorities.

The NGT had constituted a joint committee on February 21 to visit the sites and ascertain facts. The team submitted its report on May 28 after finding non-compliance of environmental norms. The tribunal directed Ansal and TDI to file objections to the report on August 12, but they had not filed any objection so far, the order reads.

As per the record, the HSPCB had imposed a compensation of Rs 1.79 crore upon Ansal Infrastructure, which was later enhanced by Rs 1.69 crore more. It imposed Rs 5.97 crore compensation upon TDI Infratech. The HSPCB, during the hearing of the case on November 6, also admitted that no recovery of compensation had been made and assured the tribunal that steps for compliance of the orders would be taken within four weeks.