The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Manipur government to pay Rs 200 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid and liquid waste.
A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said that remedial action cannot be waited for indefinitely, nor can timelines without accountability be a solution.
The bench said that it is the responsibility of the state to make a comprehensive time-bound plan with earmarked resources to control pollution.
The bench also comprised Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel. The bench said that the time has come for the government to discharge its duty towards the law and the citizens.
“Compliance with environmental norms on the subject of waste management should be a priority,” it said.
The tribunal noted that the first change required is to set up a centralized single window system for planning, capacity building and monitoring of waste management at the state level.
The tribunal said it should be headed by an Additional Chief Secretary level officer with representation from the departments of Urban Development, Rural Development, Environment and Forests, Agriculture, Water Resources, Fisheries and Industries.
“We direct payment of Rs 200 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid and liquid waste,” the tribunal said.
