Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, November 21
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to take strict action against industries polluting water owing to dysfunctional treatment plants in Baddi, Kala Amb and Parwanoo industrial clusters and to charge an interim environmental compensation of Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh from such large, medium and small industries, respectively.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been told to coordinate with the SPCB to assess the compensation to be recovered from a unit for the past five years, taking into account the cost of restoration and the cost of damage caused to public health and environment.
The SPCB has been directed to ensure that no further industrial activities or expansion are allowed in the potentially polluting red and orange category industries in these clusters. Aditya Negi, member secretary, SPCB, said officials of units were being sensitised to ensure compliance.
Severe category