Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Gram Panchayat, Maan through Sarpanch Vs The Cliff Garden Condominium B and C Association of Apartment & Others dated 02/02/2024.

Maan gram panchayat informed SC that the entire solid waste and other waste has been removed in terms of the directions issued under the impugned final judgment and order dated February 22, 2023 in OA No 75/2021 passed by the National Green Tribunal Western Zone, Pune.

The SC, February 2 directed Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to immediately visit the site and verify the correctness of the statement by the Maan gram panchayat. The apex court also directed the Maan gram panchayat to file an affidavit setting out in what manner it will comply with the requirements of the Solid Waste Rules, 2016. The affidavit has to be filed within a period of one month.

In the meanwhile, the SC said that no steps will be taken to recover compensation from the Maan gram panchayat imposed by the NGT.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), February 22, 2023 had imposed Rs 34 lakh fine on Maan gram panchayat for illegal garbage dumping and damage to the environment. Cliff Garden Condominium had approached the NGT with the complaint of illegal garbage dumping by the panchayat on the land owned by the forest department.