Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vikram Ahuja Vs State of Punjab & Others dated 25/11/2020. The issue for consideration is the remedial action for violation of environmental norms by discharge of untreated sewage and effluents into the drains and other water bodies in Fazillka District in Punjab.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board has filed its report on November 21, 2020 giving point-wise compliance status. The said status report shows that certain projects have been initiated while the remaining are yet to be undertaken. At various locations the laid down standards of the water quality are not met. A letter of the Chief Secretary, Punjab dated November 19, 2020 addressed to the authorities asking them to look into the matter and ensure compliance was also taken note by the NGT, along with a letter of the Chief Secretary to the Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti with a request to take up the matter with Pakistan for remedial action from across the border.

The NGT, November 25 directed the authorities to continue further action and asked the Monitoring Committee headed by Justice Jasbir Singh, former Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court to verify the compliance status from the concerned departments and furnish a further status report with recommendations before April 14, 2021. The tribunal said that there was need to further monitor the compliance of the required remedial measures for protection of the environment and public health in Fazilka district, Punjab.