Action against TN panchayat officials for violating SWM Rules

The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) southern bench has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to take action against erring Kattankolathur panchayat officials for violating the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, including imposing environmental compensation.

The green bench convened a joint committee, which discovered several violations within panchayat limits, such as unsegregated garbage being dumped at the Kolathur dumpsite and pollution in Karanai Puducheri lake.

In its decision, the NGT bench also directed the officials to remove encroachments on the waterbody and restore it to its original state. The Collector was also instructed to take appropriate measures to provide a protection mechanism, such as erecting eco-fences or establishing biological diversity parks.

According to a recent compliance report submitted by the panchayat’s block development officer, segregated solid waste is now collected door-to-door and disposed of at the Kolathur dumpsite. The panchayat also stated that work on a micro-composting centre in Urapakkam has begun, reports The New Indian Express.