Aafrin Kidwai 
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has told the Kerala government that it may consider imprisonment of bureaucrats who fail to comply with its orders seeking action against those responsible for the unscientific handling of waste at the Brahmapuram solid waste processing plant.
The Hindu reports that a three-member bench recorded its “disapproval for the lack of sincerity and sensitivity of the authorities to the health of the citizens on flimsy grounds. There is non-compliance of orders of this tribunal dated February 28, 2020…” it stated. The Bench said the failure of the authorities was at the cost of public health, which a welfare State can ill-afford.
The Chief Secretary has been directed to set up a three-member team of Secretary, Urban Development; Chairman, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, and the Municipal Commissioner concerned to take immediate remedial action. The Chief Secretary, who has to personally monitor compliance with the tribunal’s directives, should inform the erring officers that they will not be entitled to draw their salaries from a specified date till compliance, said the NGT.
