Builders from Tamil Nadu yet to pay fine

The three weeks time given to the builders to pay the fine lapsed on July 28. There are over 5,000 apartments that were in various stages of completion before the NGT issued a stay on all the construction and business activities of these projects for violating environmental norms.

On July 7, the NGT had asked these seven builders to pay environmental compensation of five per cent of their project value for restoration and restitution of the environment and ecology as well as towards their liability arising from impacts of the illegal and unauthorised constructions carried out by them.

They were directed to pay the sum to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) within three weeks from the date of the pronouncement of the order. However, it is reliably learnt that none of the builders had remitted the fine.

Meanwhile, one of the builders — SAS Realtors Pvt. Ltd that was fined Rs 4.5 crore — has moved the Supreme Court challenging the NGT order.

The review petitions of other builders, including Jones Foundations, Rudy Manoharan Property Developers, SSM builders and promoters, Dugar Housing Ltd and SPR & RG Construction, will be heard by the NGT on August 5.

In the last hearing held on July 21, the NGT has made it clear that there can’t be any relief and the builders have to pay the fine within the stipulated period.

Meanwhile, the five-member committee constituted by the NGT to look into the extent of environmental damage caused by the project proponents is yet to swing into action.

“The committee has been formed. The Director of Environment H. Malleshappa, who is appointed as the nodal officer of the committee, had held the committee meeting twice. To submit the report, the committee would require some more time”, said Abdul Saleem, Special Government Pleader.