The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has imposed a total Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs 55.28 crore on 89 commercial institutions in Panipat for violating environmental norms, but has recovered only Rs 6.95 crore, a mere 12.58% of the total amount. The remaining Rs 48.28 crore remains unpaid, according to a reply from the HSPCB Panipat Regional Office to environmentalist Varun Gulati.
List of Defaulters Includes Major Industries and Government Departments
The list of violators spans a wide range of entities, including textile industries, builders, a liquor factory, the IOCL refinery, brick kilns, dyeing units, National Fertilizers, Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS), ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, banquet halls, JBM Environment (a private garbage collection company), unnamed bleach houses, and even an official from the Public Health Department. Notably, the highest EC of Rs 35.84 crore was imposed on National Fertilizers, but not a single rupee has been deposited so far.
Recovery Rate Dismal Despite Heavy Fines
Environmentalist Varun Gulati expressed concern over the low recovery rate, stating, "The pollution control board is very keen to impose EC upon the violators, it is good, but what about the recovery? It is very unfortunate that the recovery rate of EC is only 12.58 percent, which is even less than 25 percent." He added that crores of rupees are pending not only from industrialists and builders but also from government departments.
Breakdown of Major Defaulters
According to the HSPCB data, Ansal Builders was fined Rs 1.79 crore but has deposited only Rs 5 lakh. An EC of Rs 5.47 crore was imposed on TDI Infra, with no amount deposited. Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS) owes Rs 1.15 crore, and the SDE of the Public Health Department has not deposited a fine of Rs 6.20 lakh. An RMC plant was fined Rs 1.96 crore, also unpaid. In total, 26 commercial institutions have not deposited any environmental fine to the board so far.
Environmentalist Demands Strict Action
Gulati demanded that the HSPCB take serious steps to recover the pending EC amount from defaulters. He emphasized that the pollution control board must collect the EC on priority and spend the amount for environmental restoration to provide clean water, land, and air to residents. The HSPCB's response highlights the challenge of enforcing environmental compliance, even against government entities.
