The Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a cost of Rs  50,000 on the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) for failing to restore electricity to a factory for six months in violation of the orders.
As per the petitioner the factory’s electricity was disconnected, and the unit was sealed by the Pollution Control Board in February 2024 on the grounds that it allegedly did not possess a valid Consent to Operate (CTO).

However, in May 2024, an appellate authority ruled in favor of the factory, stating that it had a valid CTO until 2030 and directed the board to restore power. Despite this directive, the HSPCB did not comply, leading the factory to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Taking a strong view of the board’s inaction, the high court bench headed by chief justice Sheel Nagu  not only ordered immediate compliance with the appellate authority’s decision but also imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the pollution board for its delay and failure to act in accordance with the law.

The court’s decision underscores the importance of administrative accountability and compliance with judicial directives, particularly in matters impacting business operations and livelihoods. The court criticized the Haryana State Pollution Control Board for its inaction, which forced the petitioners to file an unnecessary legal case. The bench said this delay deserved strict penalties.   The bench observed that apart from making the petitioners go through unnecessary legal trouble, the Board also wasted the court’s valuable time, which could have been used for more urgent cases.

Because of this, the court fined the Haryana State Pollution Control Board Rs 50,000 as Rs 10,000 will be given to the petitioners, while Rs 40,000 will be deposited in the Poor Patients Fund at PGIMER, Chandigarh.