Hefty NGT fine on thermal plants not disposing fly ash

The National Green Tribunal has imposed Rs 5 crore fine on thermal power plants which have not disposed of fly cash produced during electricity generation.

Thermal power plants which do not meet 100 % fly ash disposal criteria, must deposit Rs 5 crore with Central Pollution Control Board in a month, the NGT said in its latest order.

If erring plants failed to deposit Rs 5 crore, such plants would have to pay 12 % interest as well.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, in its notification dated November 3, 2011, had said that thermal power plants commissioned before the date of notification would have to ensure 100 % fly ash utilisation in five years.

Those commissioned after notification have to ensure 100 % compliance within four years of the date of commissioning.

The NGT order comes at a time when a lot of complaints are being filed against thermal power plants for not disposing of fly ash properly, which is not only a major source of pollution but also affects crops grown near such plants.