New Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 746.88 crore on the Rajasthan Government for its alarming non-compliance with solid and liquid waste management regulations.
This decisive action, taken on September 17, 2024, highlighted the state’s gross negligence in handling environmental concerns related to untreated waste, which poses serious risks to public health and ecological balance.
During proceedings related to the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the NGT highlighted critical deficiencies in waste management practices across Rajasthan. The tribunal revealed that the state generates approximately 6,523 tons of solid waste daily, yet only 63.19 per cent of this waste is properly processed. Alarmingly, this leaves around 2,400 tons of solid waste untreated. Moreover, the NGT noted that among the 88 million cubic meters of legacy waste, over 71 million cubic meters remain unaddressed.
Liquid waste management also showcased significant shortcomings; the state faced a sewage treatment deficit of 628 million litres per day. With 1,550 million litres of sewage generated, only 799 million litres are treated daily, signalling a dire need for improvement in the waste management infrastructure. Consequently, the NGT mandated an environmental compensation of ₹746.88 crore—Rs 633.78 crore for untreated legacy waste and ₹113.10 crore for untreated sewage.
This ruling is part of a broader scrutiny by the NGT, which is currently reviewing non-compliance issues among all Indian state governments. Previously, on July 25, 2024, the NGT levied a Rs 1,026 crore penalty against Punjab for similar violations, indicating a growing trend of strict accountability for environmental governance.
In response to the NGT’s orders, the Rajasthan Government has escalated the issue by forwarding the relevant files to Shiv Mangal Sharma, the Additional Advocate General. Sharma is now advising the government on the necessary steps to comply with the tribunal’s directives. It is noteworthy that the Rajasthan government was represented in the case by Prachi Mishra, appointed by the previous administration.
