CHANDIGARH: The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of over Rs 2,000 crore on the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not handling the solid and liquid waste that harms the environment.
The NGT said in a order, “As per the mandate under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the citizens’ right to clean environment, the authority of the State of Punjab to fix the garbage dump site has failed. Non-cleaning of old waste is a constant health hazard apart from being a source of pollution.”
Following this, Local Government Minister, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that State Government has decided to spend Rs. 351.17 lakh for the disposal of garbage and solid waste with modern technology in different places of Punjab. The tender process has been started in this regard.
Dr.Nijjar said that getting rid of garbage and solid waste problems at Payal, RaiKot in the state. Apart from this, garbage and solid waste at Samrala and Jagraon will also be disposed of in a scientific manner so that the environment can be made clean and pollution free. Similarly, Malout will also be beautified under this decision.
The Minister said that disposal of garbage and solid waste at dump sites with modern technology will not only clean the environment but also help prevent many dangerous diseases that spread among the people.