NGT directs collection of ‘green tax’

In a bid to curb health hazards originating from bursting of firecrackers, the Pune Bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed civic bodies to levy Rs. 3,000 as ‘green tax’ from sellers.

• The corpus collected from the tax will be used to clean solid waste generated from firecrackers at public places.
• Part of the money will be used exclusively for environmental activities such as planting trees and constructing toilets for women.

The tribunal has ordered strict action against defaulters, recommending that agencies which do not pay the tax should be blacklisted and their licences cancelled. The tribunal has also suggested that bursting of crackers at public places should be restricted to certain hours. The decision came based on a petition which sought a ban on bursting of firecrackers. The petition contended that the industry employed child labour which led to several injuries and deaths among minors.

By: Vishal