Gurugram: On the appeal of Gurugram’s Freedom Park Society, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). Currently, the society has been facing all kinds of difficulties, contesting Rs 1.55 crore fine. It was levied by the HSPCB as Environmental Compensation (EC) after finding some faults in their Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).
The penalty was imposed after an inspection conducted by HSPCB’s Gurugram Regional Officer in August 2022. As per the report, the STP was found defunct during the scrutiny. However, the Freedom Park Society has made it clear in its report that damage occurred due to severe flooding and heavy rainfall in the area, which are the natural calamity, and they are beyond their control.
Advocate Sumit Gehlot, representing the society, stated that the excessive rainfall in August 2022 caused widespread flooding across Gurugram. He added that the society acted promptly to repair the STP and ensure compliance with environmental standards. Lab reports from a private testing agency confirmed the STP’s compliance after repairs.
Gehlot went on to say that society is being penalized for 415 days, which is illogical. He cited the Supreme Court’s “Polluter Pays” principle, stressing that natural disasters are uncontrollable things, so no penalty should be levied in this situation. He further added that the fine should be withdrawn, as it was not the fault of the society for the damage of the sewerage plant; it was caused due to the unprecedented rainfall. Currently, NGT has been reviewing the case.
