NGT fines Delhi govt Rs 50 crore for inaction against illegal steel units

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government for failing to stop steel pickling industries from working in the residential areas. The industries fall under the prohibited list of industrial activity as per the Delhi Master Plan (DMP), 2021.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court while hearing a matter related to air pollution today, directed the Delhi government to frame guidelines on burning of effigies of Ravana and use of firecrackers during Dusshera. The guidelines can be implemented from the next year.

On the steel pickling industries, the NGT which had passed the orders to close down the industries in 2016, pulled up the state government for not closing the industrial units despite its specific directions.

Earlier, an NGO had approached the NGT seeking execution of its order. Following this, the tribunal directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take action against the industries.

Meanwhile, the NGT in its order today directed the Delhi government's chief secretary to constitute a three-member committee to find out those responsible for granting the license and take action against them.

The NGT bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, also observed that these steel pickling units cause pollution while adding that the senior officers of the Delhi government have failed to perform their duties.