NGT slaps Rs 25,000 fine on Delhi govt for not filing report

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped Rs 25,000 as costs on the Delhi government for failure to file a report on the action taken to prevent blockage of drains in the city.

A bench headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim directed the AAP government to file its response within 10 days and deposit the fine within a week.

The order came on a plea filed by city-based Rajokari Youth Welfare Society seeking a direction to the Delhi government to take action to remove blockage of drains in the national capital.

The tribunal said despite the petitioner highlighting the immediate need for appropriate act to prevent obstruction in drains the respondent Government of NCT, Delhi, and the district magistrate concerned failed to respond.

"We have forfeited the right to file objection," the bench said.

"Considering the fact that Government of NCT, Delhi has to explain lot about the state of affairs which compelled initiation of proceedings in this case, we permit filing of the statement of Delhi government within a period of 10 days subject to payment of Rs. 25,000 as costs.

"The costs shall be paid within one week and only then they shall be permitted to file the reply in the registry," it said.

The tribunal had earlier directed the city government and the civic bodies to restore expeditiously all water bodies and ensure that these remain clean and not become waste-dumping yards.

The green panel had said that water bodies surrounding colonies should be maintained and kept clean so that they become a source of natural beauty.

It had also approved a proposal put forward by the Delhi Jal Board to revive Rajokari water body in south-west Delhi and develop it in an aesthetic manner.