Prepare action plan to utilise funds for groundwater rejuvenation: NGT

New Delhi: National Green Tribunal has directed the revenue department to pay Rs 10,000 each on behalf of 11 district magistrates who failed to file reports in the tribunal for sealing illegal borewells. The tribunal has also directed the divisional commissioner to prepare an action plan in consultation with agencies for the utilisation of Rs 19.6 crore for the rejuvenation of water bodies and the recharge of groundwater.
The tribunal is hearing pleas related to the illegal extraction of groundwater. On Jan 8, it imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 each on 11 district magistrates. However, the tribunal, in an order dated March 21, dismissed the interlocutory applications filed by all 11 district magistrates for a waiver of cost as they were busy with the Delhi assembly elections 2025.

The tribunal said the reports were to be filed a week before Jan 8 (the date of the previous hearing), while the elections were notified on Jan 10. The tribunal also said that being busy with election duties could not justify neglecting work.
TOI reported earlier that DPCC transferred Rs 19.6 crore, including the environment compensation received of Rs 75 lakh from groundwater extraction, to the divisional commissioner for the revival of water bodies.
"The divisional commissioner, Delhi govt, is directed to prepare an action plan in consultation with DJB, CGWA, State Wetland Authority, and DPCC for the utilisation of the amount of Rs 19.6 crore for the rejuvenation of water bodies and the recharge of groundwater within one month and utilise the amount within the next three months," said the bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava.
It also directed the submission of the action plan along with progress reports by the next date of hearing by May 28.
The tribunal observed in orders dated Aug 28, 2024 and Jan 8, 2025 that DPCC imposed environmental compensation of Rs 7,093.4 lakh on the violators of illegal groundwater extraction, and of these, Rs 79,70,000 was recovered by it. The tribunal, in its Aug last year, directed Delhi govt to transfer an amount of Rs 70 crore to DPCC within three months, but the tribunal observed that Delhi govt did not transfer the amount of Rs 70 crore to DPCC.
However, another affidavit dated March 18, filed by the special secretary of the environment department, informed NGT that the chief secretary brought the tribunal's order to the notice of Delhi chief minister, council of ministers, and LG.
"The chief secretary is directed to place such further compliance, as undertaken, before this tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing fixed," said the bench.