The Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a penalty of Rs 12,000 crore on Government of Maharashtra for violation of environmental norms in the State over alleged lack of solid and liquid waste management causing harm to the environment. The Board also asked the Government to deposit the amount within two months. The amount will be be used for restoration measures. The restoration measures with respect to sewage management would include setting up of sewage treatment and utilisation systems, upgrading systems/operations to ensure utilisation of their full capacities, ensuring compliance of standards and setting up of proper fecal sewage and sludge management in rural areas. “It is disappointing to see from the data presented by the Chief Secretary, Maharashtra last appeared before the Tribunal in the present matter, there is no meaningful progress.

 

There are huge gaps in management of solid as well as liquid waste in the State,” stated NGT in the order. The Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, as per the directions of the Tribunal, submitted a presentation on ‘Generation and Treatment of Solid and liquid waste in Maharashtra’. Expressing disappointment over the data, the Tribunal said, “It shows that legacy waste is to the extent of 3,94,19,287 tonnes. It is stated that 189 sites out of 273 dump sites have been cleared but it is not clear how much quantity of waste is remediated. Area of land recovered through this process has not been mentioned.” Since statutory timelines for remediation of legacy waste having expired, further steps have now to be taken in a mission mode and for past violations liability of the State has to be quantified on ‘Polluter Pays’ principle by way of monetary compensation to be utilised for restoration of damage to the environment, the order stated. On the issue of liquid waste, gap is to the extent of 5420.33 MLD in the State. Figure of utilisation of treated sewage shows that much work remains to be done. Unless treated sewage is usefully deployed for non potable purpose, potable water may be used for such purposes and sewage may mix with potable water or go to storm water drains or rivers which has to be avoided, said the Tribunal.

 

NGT further said, “Till the gaps are bridged, untreated liquid waste will continue to remain source of degradation of environment and damage to public health, including deaths and diseases which the society can ill afford.” Hence, the urgency of the situation for good governance for ensuring emergent measures in public interest to protect the environment, natural resources and public health as per mandate of the Constitution, it stated. “We have to levy compensation for continuing violation on polluter pays principle to be utilised for restoration measures,” said the Tribunal. In respect of gap in treatment of liquid waste/sewage that is 5420.33 MLD, compensation works out to Rs 10,840.66 crore and compensation for un-remediated legacy waste to the extent of 3,94,19,287 works out roughly to about Rs 1200 crore. We round off the compensation amount Rs 12,000 crore which may be deposited by the State of Maharashtra in a separate ring-fenced account within two months, to be operated as per directions of the Chief Secretary and utilised for restoration measures, said the Tribunal.