NGT imposes penalties on TPPs for inefficient ash disposal

The National Green Tribunal has imposed penalties of up to Rs 50 million on thermal power plants (TPPs) that have not fully disposed of the fly ash generated by them. TPPs failing to comply with the 100 per cent fly ash disposal criterion will have to pay a compensation ranging from Rs 10 million to Rs 50 million (depending on the TPP capacity) to the Central Pollution Control Board by December 20, 2018. If the erring plants fail to deposit the fine, they will have to pay a 12 per cent interest on it. In November 2011, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had stipulated that TPPs commissioned before the date of notification have to ensure 100 per cent fly ash utilisation in five years. Those commissioned after the notification have to ensure 100 per cent compliance within four years of the date of commissioning.