NGT directs Karnataka govt to pay Rs 2,900 cr for improper solid, liquid waste management
New Delhi, Oct 15: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Karnataka government to pay Rs 2,900 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid and liquid waste.
A tribunal headed by chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the steps taken by the state of Karnataka for solid waste management and for handling liquid waste were "inadequate."
The NGT bench also comprising Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad said that the gap in the generation and scientific handling of solid and liquid waste had resulted in damage to the environment and public health.
Award of compensation had become necessary under Section 15 of the NGT Act to remedy the continuing damage to the environment and to comply with directions of the Supreme Court, the bench said.
It is high time that the state realises its duty to the law and citizens and adopts further monitoring at its own level, the green panel said.
For the gap in treatment in liquid waste or sewage of 1,427.4 million litres daily (MLD), the compensation was Rs 2,856 crores, while for the un-remediated legacy waste of 178.50 metric tonnes (MT), the state was liable to pay compensation of Rs 540 crores, the bench said while determining the compensation amount.
"The total compensation comes to Rs 3,396 crores, or say Rs 3,400 crores and out of the said amount, we deduct the amount of Rs 500 crore levied as compensation vide order dated October 10, 2022," it said.
The Chief Secretary had to evolve an appropriate mechanism for planning, execution and oversight of the programmes for remedial action involving concerned departments within one month, the bench said.
The NGT also said the first change required was to set up a centralized single-window mechanism for planning, capacity building and monitoring of waste management at the state level.
"It should be headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary with representation from concerned departments Urban Development, Rural Development, Environment and Forest, Agriculture, Water Resources, Fisheries and Industries," the NGT said.
"We hope in light of interaction with the Chief Secretary, the state of Karnataka will take further measures in the matter by an innovative approach and stringent monitoring, ensuring that gaps in solid and liquid waste generation and treatment are bridged at the earliest," the NGT added.
For proper solid waste management, legacy waste dump sites had to be suitably fenced and covered till remediation, besides the use of reclaimed land after clearance and establishment of requisite waste processing plants, the green panel said.
For liquid waste management, the sources of clean water had to be maintained, treated sewage water had to be used for non-potable purposes and the established sewage treatment plants (STPs) were required to be fully utilized, the green panel said.
Further, the NGT said the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) could monitor compliance and utilisation of funds under centrally sponsored schemes.
"A six-monthly progress report with verifiable progress may be filed by the Chief Secretary with a copy to the Registrar General of this tribunal," the green panel said.
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
