NGT Orders TGPCB to recover pending Rs 24.6 lakh environmental penalty
Hyderabad: National Green Tribunal(NGT) found fault with Aadeshwar Traders, Ranga Reddy District for not appearing regularly. It directed the revenue authorities to proceed with their action and ordered a one lakh deposit as environmental compensation.
Aadeshwar Traders in Vattinagulapally, Gandipet, was in the stone crushing business. In April, Telangana State Pollution Control Board(TGPCB) ordered the unit to close down as it is within 10 kilometers of the twin city lakes Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.
It is pertinent to note that Government Order 111 states, “It is prohibited to establish polluting industries within 10 km radius (i.e., both on upstream and downstream side of the Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar Lakes and there shall be total prohibition of location of industries in the prohibited zone upto 10 km from the Full Tank Level of lakes” i.e. Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar lakes.
Stone crushing unit near twin lakes under NGT scrutiny
On 6 December 2024,TGPCB filed its report stating that they are following up with the district administration to recover the environmental compensation from the appellant by invoking the Revenue Recovery Act. Of the total Rs.49.3 Lakhs, 50% has been paid and Rs.24.6 lakhs is outstanding.
“As the appellant has not been appearing regularly, it would be appropriate to impose a cost on them for the adjournment sought. However, instead of doing so, we only direct the appellant to deposit a sum of One Lakh Rupees towards the balance amount of environmental compensation recoverable. And the said amount be paid to the TGPCB,” said NGT in its order.
In March 2024, the TGPCB informed NGT that despite the penalty under challenge before NGT, the Project Proponent was found to be operating the jaw crusher by reinstalling it.
“Even after facing a penalty and pending appeal, the unit has the audacity to operate their crushers,” observed NGT in March order and warned “If the unit disobeys the orders again, the stay will be vacated without hearing them.”
