VISAKHAPATNAM: A joint committee formed on the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) to inquire into the violation of environmental laws by the HPCL has suggested 8.35 crore fine on refinery for causing environmental losses. The fine amount should be kept by Pollution Control Board.
The joint committee after a field visit at the refinery submitted its report to the NGT on Wednesday. The move folowed a petition filed by Visakha Pawan Karmika Sangham against the pollution caused by the HPCL. The committee suggested 100 fine per day for violating the environmental laws since 2011.
The environmental compensation amount of 8.35 crore was arrived at on the basis of violations committed over a period of 3,480 days.
The petitioner Ganga Raju alleged that the residents near the refinery are suffering from eye, skin, lung, and heart problems, breathlessness, nausea, and other diseases due to chemicals, odour and smoke released from the HPCL. He accused that the activities of the industry are against The Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Water Act, 1974, Air Act, 1981, and Biological Diversity Act, 2002. “Around 10 lakh people of the 25 lakh total population of the port city are suffering due to HPCL pollution,” he said in the petition. The NGT posted next hearing in the case for February 10.
