East Corpn fines people for burning leaves

In compliance with a National Green Tribunal order, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation has started issuing challans to those found burning garbage and leaves in the areas under its limits.

Last week, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on people caught burning leaves, garbage, rubber and plastic in open areas across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

In all, the east civic agency has issued nine challans — six in Shahdara (South) Zone and three in Shahdara (North) Zone.

The defaulters include the Deputy Director (Horticulture) of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), a petrol station and shopkeepers.

Even a pujari of a temple has been challaned for burning leaves.
While a petrol station was issued a challan for burning polyvinyl chloride (pvc) wire, residents of jhuggis in New Seemapuri have been challaned for burining garbage.
The corporation said these challans should work as a deterrent and people start complying with the NGT’s directive.

“Our sanitation staff has been asked to be on the look out for those found burning of garbage or leaves,” said a senior official with the East Delhi Municipal Corporation.
‘Plant saplings’

“The civic agency has also instructed its horticulture department to plant more saplings and maintain the level of greenery under its areas,” he added.

Last month, the NGT had ordered the Delhi Pollution Control Committee  and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd to come up with a plan for constructing a waste disposal plant in Narela or Bawana.