SHILLONG: There are stringent punishment clauses against those who violate the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The NGT in an interim order had banned rat-hole mining in the state.
The State Government recently indicated that it may appeal against the order of NGT.
According to the NGT Act of 2010, “whoever fails to comply with any order of NGT shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to Rs 10 crore or with both and in case the failure continues, there will be additional fine which may extend to Rs 25,000 per day”.
In a case a company fails to comply with any order, the company will be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs 25 crore and moreover additional fine can extend upto Rs 1 lakh per day.
According to the Act, if any department fails to comply with any order of NGT, the head of the department will be deemed to be guilty and he will be punished under the provisions of the Act.
However, if an offence is attributed to an officer of the department, other than the Head of the Department, such officer will be deemed to be guilty.
