The National Green Tribunal on May 5 imposed fines of Rs 10 lakh on the polluting industries of Kanpur. These units had been shut earlier.

The bench, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, had passed an order on April 27 following the initial report of the joint inspection team about the polluting industries in Bijnor, and they were asked to cease operations immediately.

On May, various industry units presented their contention on the report submitted by the joint inspection team, but the bench was in no mood to entertain any excuse and made it clear if they want such units to operate, they have to pay the cost.

The bench ordered that every unit which presented its case agreed that in the coming days they will set everything up in their industries according to the norms.

The Bench directed an environment compensation cost of Rs 10 lakhs on the units and then let them set everything up in the units. The joint inspection team will once again visit these units and will submit their comprehensive report and Bench will rely on that report to consider the plea of the industries.

The cost of Rs 10 lakhs will have to be submitted to Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board within two weeks from now.

Matter adjourned to be listed on May 8.

—India Legal Bureau