National Green Tribunal Fines Meerut Hospital for Environmental Violations

The National Green Tribunal fined Yashoda Hospital in Meerut Rs 5 lakh for operating without statutory consent under environmental laws. A joint committee report noted the hospital's closure and non-compliance with water and air pollution regulations. The fine will be used for environmental remediation.

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on Yashoda Hospital in Meerut for operating illegally without required permissions under environmental regulations.

The tribunal acted on a letter petition claiming that the hospital on Garh Road was functioning without statutory consent.

On February 20, a joint committee was formed by the tribunal to provide a factual report. This committee included representatives from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the Meerut District Magistrate, the Chief Medical Officer, and the district's municipal corporation commissioner. In a recent ruling, the bench of Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Afroz Ahamad noted that the hospital's registration had been canceled due to non-compliance with medical regulations as of November 25, 2023.

Given that the hospital was already closed, the committee observed that compliance with water and air pollution norms could only be partially assessed.

The tribunal highlighted that the hospital had functioned for a significant period without the necessary statutory consents under the Water and Air Pollution Acts. The installation of an unauthorized 2 KLD effluent treatment plant and a diesel generator set was also noted.

In light of these findings, the tribunal concluded that the hospital must pay an environmental compensation of Rs 5 lakh, applying the 'Polluter Pays' principle. The amount is to be remitted to the UPPCB for use in environmental remediation, restoration, and rejuvenation as per a restoration plan to be prepared within a month by a joint committee.

(With inputs from agencies.)