STATING THAT builders have to “bear the burden of all consequences” for causing air pollution, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered that no builder can deny wages to labourers when “work is stopped for causing air pollution”.
“It is a settled rule of environmental jurisprudence that polluter pays principle and covers all consequential effects of air pollution. It is the polluter who is expected to take all precautions and also face consequences. The builder will not be able to deny wages, partially or fully, when work is stopped for causing air pollution,” ordered the tribunal.
During the proceedings, the tribunal also directed the authorities concerned to submit minutes of the meeting of the centralised monitoring committee – formed by the NGT to prepare action plans to combat air pollution in the capital – by Friday.
It also directed the Delhi government to place its November 10 order on air pollution before competent authorities, along with data on ambient quality as given by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“We are informed that the meeting to be convened by the secretary, ministry of environment and forests is fixed today. Let the minutes of meeting be placed before the NGT,” said the bench.
