<p>The National Green Tribunal has imposed a penalty of over Rs 2,000 crore on the Punjab government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste, leading to a huge gap in their generation and treatment.</p>.<p>A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said corrective action cannot wait for an indefinite period and health issues be deferred for long.</p>.<p>“Responsibility of the State is to have a comprehensive plan to control pollution which is its absolute liability, which is not being understood.</p>.<p>“If there is deficit in budgetary allocations, it is for the state and the state alone to have suitable planning by reducing cost or augmenting resources,” the bench said.</p>.<p>It said that the compliance of environmental norms on the subject of waste management has to be high on priority.</p>.<p>According to the NGT, the total compensation is rounded off at Rs 2,180 crore.</p>.<p>Out of this, Punjab government has already deposited with the tribunal Rs 100 croe for its failure to prevent discharge of untreated sewage and solid waste.</p>.<p>“The remaining amount of Rs 2,080 crore may be deposited by the State of Punjab in a separate ring-fenced account within two months,” the bench said.</p>.<p>NGT is monitoring compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues by states and Union territories. </p>
<p>The National Green Tribunal has imposed a penalty of over Rs 2,000 crore on the Punjab government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste, leading to a huge gap in their generation and treatment.</p>.<p>A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said corrective action cannot wait for an indefinite period and health issues be deferred for long.</p>.<p>“Responsibility of the State is to have a comprehensive plan to control pollution which is its absolute liability, which is not being understood.</p>.<p>“If there is deficit in budgetary allocations, it is for the state and the state alone to have suitable planning by reducing cost or augmenting resources,” the bench said.</p>.<p>It said that the compliance of environmental norms on the subject of waste management has to be high on priority.</p>.<p>According to the NGT, the total compensation is rounded off at Rs 2,180 crore.</p>.<p>Out of this, Punjab government has already deposited with the tribunal Rs 100 croe for its failure to prevent discharge of untreated sewage and solid waste.</p>.<p>“The remaining amount of Rs 2,080 crore may be deposited by the State of Punjab in a separate ring-fenced account within two months,” the bench said.</p>.<p>NGT is monitoring compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues by states and Union territories. </p>