₹100-crore interim compensation: MC’s financial crisis deepens as NGT dismisses review petition

After the orders were issued by the tribunal, the civic body had filed a review petition seeking relief. In the petition, it had said that a plan had already been chalked out to deal with legacy waste and a proposal had been sent to the government for getting the required approvals.

The municipal corporation, which has been unable to pay its staff’s salaries since July, has found itself in a deeper financial hole after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed its review petition against directions to pay ₹100-crore as interim compensation for its failure to deal with legacy waste.

In its order, dated July 25,the tribunal had directed the civic body to pay the interim compensation while hearing a case pertaining to the death of a family of seven after their shanty, which was situated near the dumps, caught fire in April (HT PHOTO )

After the orders were issued by the tribunal, the civic body had filed a review petition seeking relief. In the petition, it had said that a plan had already been chalked out to deal with legacy waste and a proposal had been sent to the government for getting the required approvals. However, the petition was dismissed by the NGT on August 18.

Now, the fund-starved civic body is looking at the state government to submit the funds on its behalf.

MC additional commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said, “The MC is pursuing the matter with the state government as the civic body will not be able to make the deposit at this time. Talks are going on, and soon a final decision will be taken in this regard.”

“The process to dispose of 5 lakh metric tonnes of garbage is expected to commence next month. Also, a proposal has been sent to the government for dealing with the remaining 25 lakh metric tonnes of garbage.”

Green tribunal’s observations

In its order, dated July 25,the tribunal had directed the civic body to pay the interim compensation while hearing a case pertaining to the death of a family of seven after their shanty, which was situated near the dumps, caught fire in April

1. It observed that around 30 lakh metric tonne of garbage had been dumped at the main dump site, where fire incidents were reported on a regular basis.

2. It directed the MC to deposit ₹100 crore with the deputy commissioner within a month. The amount will be kept in a separate account, and is earmarked for remedial measures to manage the solid waste.

3. The NGT had said that should the MC be unable to make the deposit, the state government could pay the sum on its behalf.

4. The MC is permitted to recover the compensation amount from those contributing to garbage accumulation, or from those who failed to perform their duties.

5.It was directed to pay ₹57.5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.