NGT Fines Delhi DMs for Failing to Curb Illegal Borewells

NGT Issues Show Cause Notices Over Illegal Borewell Inaction in Delhi Summary National Green Tribunal, NGT issues show cause notices to the DMs of the districts of Delhi and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, DJB for not taking actions against illegal borewells. It has blamed them for non-compliance of the orders by NGT and for not providing compliance reports. The order, dated January 8, also had each district magistrate cough up ?10,000 as penalty for inaction. Background The NGT had, in August 2024, given the authorities-DJB, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and DMs-time to set right the illegal borewells. Illegal borewells pose a huge threat to groundwater resources and are often operational without any requisite permission or NOC. The concerned departments never worked and file compliance reports as needed by the directions of the tribunal. Observation from the Tribunal: This tribunal is very dissatisfied with the fact that the officials are not committed. Such inaction to protect and improve the environment is not justified and defeats the purpose. The tribunal observed that sealing of illegal borewells and submission of compliance reports is the constitutional obligation of the state and its instrumentalities. The NGT bench comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Afroz Ahmad observed: Illegal borewells should be sealed so that illegal extraction of water does not take place from the ground. Willful defiance towards the tribunal is an exercise of dereliction of power and it requires adequate strong action. Orders Passed by NGT Therefore, the tribunal ordered Show Cause Notice: The CEO of DJB along with all the district magistrates have been summoned along with a plea to file reply upon the violation. Financial Sanctions: DMs are required to deposit ?10,000 each in the account of the Registrar General of the tribunal within a month. Administrative Sanction: Chief Secretary is directed to bring orders of the tribunal to the notice of Chief Minister of Delhi, Council of Ministers and Lieutenant Governor to take disciplinary action against the DMs. Environmental Compensation Funds It criticized the Delhi government for not transferring ?70 crores, which is the environmental compensation collected from the violators. The amount is being utilized to redress the environmental degradation, which assumes the shape of illegal water extraction. Under such circumstances, NGT has given the final chance to the government for depositing their money in DPCC and directed it to take all the actions about any environmental issue on time. This matter was scheduled for further proceedings on March 21. NGT has given a warning saying severe punishments and strict legal actions if their directions are not followed. Significance of the Issue This depletes the water table, causing the land to sink as it causes ground subsidence. As it reaches the sources, it contaminates them. Thus, this needs to be dealt with a very critical approach toward making the scarce little water available for sustainability in the scarce water city, Delhi. Conclusion This. The NGT has filed a case against the officials and demanded accountable steps for taking protection of environmental resources ahead due to the inaction of officials regarding illegal borewells. The tribunal has asked for strict compliance and remediation efforts to address the damage done due to the unauthorized groundwater extraction.