National Green Tribunal Fines UPPCB Rs 25,000 for Hearing Mishap

The National Green Tribunal fined the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board Rs 25,000 for failing to respond to queries and assist during a hearing about untreated industrial effluent discharge. NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and the tribunal decided on the penalty due to UPPCB's inadequate involvement.

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) for failing to respond to its queries and assist during the proceedings. The tribunal was dealing with a case regarding the discharge of untreated industrial effluents into a stormwater drain eventually released into Suwaon Nala, a river-fed rivulet connected to the Rapti river in Uttar Pradesh.

On September 9, NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava stated that the applicant's counsel had concluded his arguments, but the UPPCB's counsel could not assist or answer the tribunal's queries. This led the panel, including judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, to adjourn the matter and impose the fine.

The case has been scheduled for further proceedings on November 7.

(With inputs from agencies.)