NGT orders Haryana Chief Secy to check violation of environmental laws in Murthal

NEW DELHI: Sanjeev Kaushal, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana has been ordered by the National Green Tribunal to close restaurants and roadside eateries in Murthal that are in violation of environmental laws and to call a meeting to discuss how to take appropriate action to preserve the environment and the general population.

No effective action on the ground level has been taken by the authorities, according to a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel. It stated that all roadside dhabas, diners, and restaurants needed to be required to handle their liquid and solid waste and keep up with general hygiene standards. The bench stated that given the recognised long-term violations, the most efficient course of action is to shut down the units until compliance and recover damages for prior violations in accordance with the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle, according to the law.

The NGT stated that in addition to suggesting sewage and solid waste management practices for individual entities or jointly by more than one such entity, and on the basis of that, granting necessary Consent to Operate (CTO), the State Pollution Control Board may also carry out its statutory duties against the violators. It had earlier queried why a decentralised treatment plant had not been established by the local “dhabas” and instructed the authorities to swiftly establish a solid waste treatment plant for managing rubbish produced by eateries. The complaint was filed by Abhay Dahiya, a resident of Haryana, and others regarding illegal rubbish disposal, burning, and discharge from numerous businesses, including restaurants, on G T Road in Murthal, Sonipat district.