The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi heard a suo motu application relating to the eruption of a major fire at the Bhagtanwala garbage dump.
The application sought action against the Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, and other respondents for their alleged failure to comply with environmental norms.
During the hearing, the Principal Bench Comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel expressed disappointment over the non-appearance of the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, despite previous orders directing them to file affidavits outlining their plans to clear the dump site of legacy waste and address daily generated waste within the municipal limits.
The Tribunal emphasized that the State and its instrumentalities have a constitutional and statutory obligation to ensure compliance with environmental norms and cannot opt out of participating in proceedings.
The non-appearance of the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, caused unnecessary adjournment and delayed resolution of environmental issues, warranting exemplary costs for the inconvenience caused.
Sarchar Anand, Advocate for the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, sought four weeks’ time to file a response affidavit.
Although the Tribunal found no sufficient grounds for adjournment, it granted the request subject to payment of Rs 10,000 as costs by the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, to be deposited with the NGT Bar Association, Principal Bench, New Delhi.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on April 1, 2025.
A copy of the order has been sent to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, the Advocate General, Government of Punjab, the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, for information and compliance.