Maharashtra: 100 industrial units fined 186 crores for water pollution, NGT also reprimands ED

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a total payment of about Rs 186 crore to about 100 industrial units in the Tarapur MIDC area of ​​the Palghar district of Maharashtra. The NGT has taken this action against these units for polluting the water bodies of the area by discharging untreated waste and asked them to pay environmental compensation.

The Enforcement Directorate has also been pulled up for failing to take action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against industrial units even after committing such offenses, in an order passed by the NGT on January 24. It said that no action was taken by the ED against it, these units were encouraged and they continued to violate the rules.

MIDC also imposed a fine of two crores

It said the ED was operating under the PMLA within a narrow range, though the ambit of the Act was expanded in 2013 following amendments. Along with this, the NGT also criticized the officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for their extremely careless and lax attitude, dishonest conduct, and lack of devotion to duty and advised them to take the work seriously.

The NGT also said that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) failed to ensure the maintenance of pipelines and played a role in polluting by not removing the sludge regularly. Along with this, the NGT has asked MIDC to pay Rs 2 crore and Tarapur Environment Protection Society's Central Effluent Treatment Plant to pay Rs 91.97 crore.

Penalty to be paid within three months

As per the order, this payment is to be made to the MPCB within three months. The money will be used to improve the environment and health-related activities of the people in the area. All this work will be done under the supervision and direction of a committee. This 500-page order of NGT has been issued on the complaint filed by All India Mangela Samaj Parishad.