New rules to crack down on polluters

In response to the Supreme Court's (SC's) strong stance on unchecked environmental violations, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced new rules for conducting inquiries and imposing penalties on polluters.

- NITIN KUMAR

The updated rules outline key factors to consider when determining the penalties' scale. Adjudicating officers are instructed to assess elements such as the project's location and size, the industry type, and the specific nature of the violation.

Violations may include operating without environmental clearance, failing to meet required environmental standards, or breaching conditions attached to granted clearances. Health impacts, financial benefits derived from non-compliance, and the frequency of violations will also factor into penalty assessments. By weighing these variables, officers can impose penalties proportionate to the scale and impact of each violation.

In cases of jurisdictional issues, adjudicating officers may transfer a case to the appropriate authority, ensuring all cases are handled by the correct officials. This transfer process is streamlined, as the new officer continues proceedings from where they were previously left off.