The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a show cause notice to the member secretary of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), demanding an explanation for not imposing an environmental compensation (EC) as previously ordered by the tribunal. The NGT’s concern arises from an incident involving the unauthorized commercial use of a green area by Jhankar Banquets near the Siri Fort complex.
In May of the previous year, the NGT had directed the DPCC member secretary to levy EC on Jhankar Banquets for using approximately 18,500 square meters of a green area around the Asiad Tower for commercial events such as marriages and parties. However, in a recent action-taken report dated December 10, 2024, the DPCC stated that it had not imposed the EC and did not plan to levy the fine.
The bench, consisting of judicial member Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, expressed its dissatisfaction with the DPCC’s failure to follow the tribunal’s specific directions, noting the clear misuse of the green area by Jhankar Banquets and the consequent environmental damage. “It is evident from the record that the green area was found to be misused by the project proponent thereby causing damage to the environment, yet DPCC has taken a view otherwise and contrary to the specific directions given by the tribunal,” the bench stated.
The NGT has now ordered the member secretary to appear in person before the tribunal to explain why action should not be taken for this violation under Section 26 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. This section outlines penalties for failing to comply with the orders, awards, or decisions of the tribunal.
