As Delhi battles air pollution, govt imposes Rs 5,000 fine for burning waste, plastic in the open

As Delhi battles severe air pollution, the Delhi government has empowered frontline enforcement officers to levy on-the-spot fines for the open burning of waste, leaves and plastic among others, a step aligned with National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions issued in the Vardhaman Kaushik vs Union of India case.

In an order issued Tuesday, the Environment Department empowered Deputy Tehsildars and above, as well as Sanitary Inspectors of MCD and NDMC, to levy a Rs 5,000 compensation on anyone found burning waste in the open, which is a penalty mandated by the NGT’s 2015 orders. The collected amount is to be deposited with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and all designated officers must submit monthly action-taken reports to the DPCC, as per the order.

The order prohibits burning of:

• Garbage
• Leaves
• Waste plastic
• Rubber
• Self-moulding compounds
• Any similar materials in the open

The following officers are authorised to levy compensation:

• Deputy Tehsildar and above in District Administration
• Sanitary Inspector and above of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
• Sanitary Inspector and above of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)

The collected penalty must be deposited in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee account:

• Account No.: 10166741672
• IFSC Code: SBIN0005715
• Bank: State Bank of India, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi