NGT imposes Rs 3,800 cr fine on Telangana Govt for waste management failure

HYDERABAD, Telangana: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 3,800 crore on the Government of Telangana for failing to treat solid and liquid waste generated in the state as mandated by the Supreme Court order in 2017.

The NGT bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, noted, “The total compensation comes to Rs 3825 crore, or say (rounded off as) Rs 3,800 crore, which may be deposited by the State of Telangana in a separate ring-fenced account within two months, to be operated as per directions of the Chief Secretary and utilised for restoration measures.”

The bench was addressing the issue of waste management in line with the order of the Supreme Court of India regarding waste management. In 2017, the apex court had given a deadline of April 2020 for all the states to establish necessary facilities to treat all the solid and liquid waste generated in the state. 

The bench also asked the state government to form an operative mechanism with the help of which service providers can execute their work concerning solid and liquid sewage waste management across all the districts, cities and towns at the same time.

The court added that the Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana can designate a nodal officer at the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) rank who would monitor and assess the progress of sewage and solid waste management processes in the state. It added further that the state’s liability has to be fixed for the instances of violations in the past under the order of the Supreme Court.

As per the order of NGT, the restoration measures include establishing sewage treatment and utilisation facilities, enhancing the capacity of existing sewage treatment plants, ensuring the compliance of standards regarding decal coliform and establishing sewage and sludge management facilities in rural areas. Additionally, the Chief Secretary should file a biannual progress report with verifiable progress on the issue.