Authorities propose a Rs 6-cr fine on 94 stone crushers in Mahendragarh one year after the NGT ruling
Rs 6 crore in environmental compensation has been determined by a joint committee of district authorities against 94 stone crushers in the district for violating environmental standards during the last 11 years.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), which established the committee to evaluate environmental compensation while considering a complaint against the stone crushers in the districts of Mahendragarh and Charkhi Dadri, has received a report on this topic from the office.
Report of Government Committee on Violations
According to the committee’s findings, these stone crushers were discovered to be in violation of the guidelines for the development of the green belt around them.
Additionally, they were not taking the necessary steps to reduce air pollution, such as installing covered sheds and water sprinklers to keep the dust settled.
According to sources, stone crushers were found to have violated the committee’s report regarding the development of the green belt around the unit and the air pollution control measures, which included installing a sufficient number of covered sheds and water sprinklers to keep the dust settled.
The stone crushers were charged with violating environmental regulations, which had a negative impact on the environment and public health.
After reviewing the case, the NGT established interim compensation for each of the stone crushers operating in both districts, at a cost of Rs 20 lakh, more than a year ago. The NGT further ordered that if the money is not paid within a month, coercive action may be taken. The compensation will be collected retroactively for the five years prior to the case being filed. According to a source, the money will go toward environmental repair.
According to sources, a number of owners of stone crushers petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) to overturn the rulings on the grounds that they were not given the chance to present their case. The court then noted that any owner of a stone crusher may approach the NGT in accordance with the freedom provided by the Tribunal in its rulings if he has any objections to the order made by the NGT.
After being given a chance to hear their case, the stone crushers said that they would not object if the joint committee decided on the ultimate settlement. The source further stated that the NGT instructed the joint committee, which included the District Magistrate of Mahendragarh, members of the Central Pollution Control Board, the Member Secretary of Haryana State, and the District Forest Officer, to determine the final compensation after determining the scope and duration of the violation and after providing all stone crushers involved with a hearing.
The NGT also noted that the joint committee will determine the raw material source, the extent to which these stone crushers comply with all necessary regulations, the carrying capacity of that region, and provide recommendations about the closure of any stone crushers that are in default. The committee would be considered advisory in character, endeavor to finish the exercise in three months, and provide a comprehensive report to the tribunal.
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board’s Krishan Kumar Yadav, a regional officer, told The Tribune that the Rs 6 crore in environmental compensation against 94 stone crushers was determined by looking at the notices that were sent to them for various parameter violations between January 1, 2013, and February 1, 2024.
“The NGT will investigate this matter further,” said Yadav, who also mentioned that the district currently has 80 stone crushers in use.
