NGT fine will affect state's development: DCM

Bengaluru: Hailing the National Green Tribunal (NGT) decision to impose fine on the state government for neglecting the lakes of Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwar said “The reason behind the fine imposed by the NGT may be for good, but imposing such huge fine amount is not good for the financial development of a state like Karnataka.” 

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating Water Testing Laboratory at Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s Nisarga Bhavana on Friday, December 7 Parameshwar said that said that the imposition of the fine will effect the development of the state.

He further added that the government has allotted  Rs 50 crore in the previous budget to ensure that no pollutant waste is discharged into the lakes and the work is in process.

He informed that he will soon review the order passed by the NGT and see if he can file a review petition against NGT’s decision.

The NGT on Thursday imposed Rs 50 crore penalty on Karnataka for allegedly neglecting two lakes Bellandur and Varthur in the city’s southeast suburb. The Tribunal also directed the city corporation (BBMP) to pay Rs 25 crore to the CPCB and transfer Rs 10 crore to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KPSCB) for the logistics of Justice Santosh Hegde Committee is formed to oversee the implementation of its orders.

The Tribunal has directed the state government to furnish a performance guarantee up to Rs 100 crore to ensure execution of the action plan.