Supreme Court Halts Penalty on Bihar for Ganga Pollution Oversight

The Supreme Court has put a stay on the National Green Tribunal's order that fined the Bihar government Rs 50,000 for failing to comply with directives on preventing Ganga river pollution. Further responses from the Centre and other parties have been requested within four weeks.

The Supreme Court has paused the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) mandate that penalized the Bihar government Rs 50,000 for not adequately assisting in efforts to control Ganga river pollution.

In previous orders, the tribunal had asked Bihar's chief secretary to report on advancements in curbing Ganga pollution, requiring a virtual attendance at tribunal hearings.

A bench led by Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih reviewed the state's plea against the NGT's order and called for responses from involved entities within a four-week span.

(With inputs from agencies.)