Lack of rainwater harvesting system may cost 605 private schools their recognition

NEW DELHI: NGT may revoke the recognition of 605 private schools in Delhi over direct non-compliance of orders. The schools were instructed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to deposit Rs 5 lakh as environmental compensation for not installing rain harvesting system which met the NGT’s mandate.

The tribunal had instructed all educational institutions in Delhi to set up rainwater harvesting systems in their campuses at their own expense within a period of two months back in 2017. On failing to do so, the panel had stated that they would be levied with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh, as environmental compensation.

“Taking cognisance of the non-compliance of the earlier directions, 605 private schools were found defaulters of either not having rainwater harvesting system installed or having a yet to be made functional system,” said an official of the Directorate of Education (DoE).

The DoE was directed by the NGT in February 2019, to direct the defaulting institutions to deposit the compensation within a period of 2 weeks. Accordingly, final notices were issued by the DoE to these schools, instructing them to deposit the fine within 3 days. The official stated, “We have issued final notices to the schools to deposit the compensation within three days. This shall be treated as final opportunity, failing which further necessary action for withdrawal of recognition of concerned schools shall be taken without any further opportunity.”

A committee was constituted by the NGT to license the institutions for operating the system after thorough inspection of their campus. If the installation of the said rainwater harvesting system wasn’t possible, the institution in question should’ve already approached the committee, said the NGT.