Tannuka Juneja
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of ₹50 crore on M/s CL Gupta Export Private Limited in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, for violating environmental laws and norms. The polluting unit has also been ordered to follow the norms for restoration of groundwater and use the fine amount. Apart from this, a joint committee has been constituted to prepare and implement the restoration plan.
On the complaint of petitioner Adil Ansari, a bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel ordered that M/s CL Gupta Export Private Limited will have to deposit the environmental compensation of ₹50 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within two months. A division of the company that consistently fails to comply with environmental standards will be closed till requisite steps are taken to comply with the standards.
The bench further directed that the compensation amount would be used for the restoration of groundwater as a remediation of damage caused to groundwater. For this, a joint committee of CPCB, CGWA, UPPCB, UPGWD and District Collector Amroha has been constituted. The bench asked the committee to prepare a restoration plan within three months, execute it in the next six months and submit the compliance report to the Registrar General (NGT) immediately after the expiry of the above period.
Member Secretary UPPCB has been directed to conduct an inquiry. The role of the concerned Regional Officer will be specially examined. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the officials found responsible.
In response to the order, BK Tripathi, DM, Amroha, said, as of now, the headquarters has not received any instructions related to the NGT order. If there is an order to impose a fine, then it will be implemented, he told media.
Ajay Gupta, MD, CL Gupta Export, said that all standards for pollution control has been followed by the factory. “Plants are installed to control pollution of both air and water. We also have certificates issued by government departments for this. Despite this, imposing a fine is unfair. A further appeal will be made for this,” he told media.
