NGT slaps Rs 3,500 crore penalty on West Bengal Govt

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a penalty of Rs 3,500 crore on the West Bengal Government for the huge gap in solid and liquid waste generation and treatment.

The green panel said the State Government does not appear to be prioritising setting up of sewage and solid waste management

facilities though according to the State’s budget for 2022-2023, there is provision of Rs 12,818.99 crore on Urban Development and Municipal Affairs. Observing that health issues cannot be deferred to the long future, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said it is the constitutional responsibility of the State and the local bodies to provide a pollution free environment.

The NGT noted that out of 2,758 million litres per day of sewage generation in urban areas and the treatment capacity of 1505.85 MLD (by setting up 44 STPs), only 1268 MLD is reported to be treated, leaving a huge gap of 1490 MLD. It said being part of the right to life, which is also a basic human right and absolute liability of the state, lack of funds cannot be pleaded to deny such right.