CPCC to impose penalty for causing dust pollution in city

The decision was taken in the 75th Governing Body meeting of the CPCC that was held under the chairmanship of Mandip Singh Brar, chairman, CPCC-cum-Home Secretary.

In this meeting, the Governing Body approved the standard operating procedure (SOP) for imposing environmental compensation on dust-generating activities, such as open spaces with loose soil exceeding 300 square metres in area. The compensation will range from ₹5,000 to ₹1,00,000 per event, and the penalties will be progressively enhanced for repeated violations. Furthermore, it was decided that the compensation shall be doubled during the winter season, i.e., from October 15 to February 15 each year, to address increased air pollution concerns during this period.In order to control pollution, the CPCC has issued directions to ban open spray painting operations without installing proper paint booth.

The order said, “No person/shop owner/unit owner is allowed to do spray painting operations without installing proper paint booth and without obtaining consent from CPCC.”

It was added, “All such persons who are doing spray painting in open without installing paint booth and without obtaining consent from CPCC and any such persons/units/shop owners who are giving electric connection to them for the purpose of doing spray painting in UT of Chandigarh are hereby directed to stop this activity immediately failing which legal action (which includes disconnection of electricity and sealing of the unit) will be taken against the person doing spray painting and those giving electric connection to such person.”

This is to be treated as a notice under Section 31-A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, it was stated.

The agenda items in the meeting were discussed and deliberated upon by the committee members during the meeting. The committee reviewed the action taken report (ATR) on the decisions made in the previous meeting. While expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved on various decisions, the committee emphasised the need for prompt action on the pending matters by the departments concerned on a priority basis.

The Governing Body also discussed draft SOP for imposing environmental compensation on violations related to plastic waste management, dust management, construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, solid waste management, etc. for which the methodology was provided by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The same has been adopted by CPCC in levying environmental compensation for breaches of environmental laws and conditions.

The Governing Body also considered the proposal for creation of posts and framing of service rules for the staff of CPCC entitled “Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (Method of Recruitment, Terms and Conditions of Service of Officers and other Employees other than Chairman and Member Secretary) Rules, 2025”. The committee decided to seek comments of recruitment cell of Personnel Department of Chandigarh Administration.

The Governing Body emphasised the need for CPCC to develop an effective system for e-waste management, ensuring that every citizen is well-informed about the proper disposal mechanisms. It was stressed that doorstep collection services should be made available to facilitate convenient and responsible e-waste disposal.