Register FIR against depts failing to deposit Rs 20L green penalty: Vij to HSPCB

Transport Minister Anil Vij on Friday directed the authorities to register an FIR against the departments for not paying environmental compensation amount of Rs 20 lakh to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). He also warned the officials that "negligence will not be tolerated at any cost".

The minister was responding to a complaint filed before him during the District Grievance Redressal Committee meeting here. As per the complaint, untreated sewage from colonies was being discharged in rainwater drains. The HSPCB has already imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh as environmental compensation on five departments -- Kaithal Municipal Council, Health, Public Health and Engineering, HSVP and Panchayat Department -- for not taking steps to address the issue. Fuming over the delay in remedial steps being taken by some departments and non-payment of the environmental compensation, Vij directed the HSPCB to get an FIR registered against the erring departments.

“I have directed the HSPCB to lodge an FIR against the erring departments. Negligence at any level would not be tolerated,” Vij added.

Of the 15 complaints raised in the committee meeting, seven were resolved. It was Vij’s first meeting after getting charge as chairman of the committee.