LHC directs imposition of fines for water wastage

Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim directed the concerned quarters to impose a fine of Rs20,000 on commercial and Rs10,000 on residential consumers in an attempt to limit the alleged 'reckless' use of water.

Justice Karim also directed authorities to fix a penalty of Rs1,000,000 on factories which are polluting the atmosphere.

Making clear that there is a need to take concrete measures to mitigate smog, the judge warned the quarters concerned that he will not let public money be spent on artificial rain.

The directives were passed during the hearing of different petitions regarding preventative measures for smog.

The director general (DG) environment submitted a report on re-sealing factories which had earlier been de-sealed.

While highlighting that proceedings against some officers had been initiated, he assured the court that strict action would be taken against those officers who were found involved in flouting rules as well as de-sealing the factories.

Over violation of rules, Justice Karim slapped a fine of Rs.1,000,000 on a steal mill with further direction to keep it sealed.

During the hearing, a Judicial Water & Environmental Commission member told the court that the environment department takes bribes, allowing those factories to blatantly spread smoke.

To this, Justice Karim firmly informed the DG Environment that those officers will not be spared and strict action will be taken against them.

However, Justice Karim expressed his satisfaction with the report submitted by DG Environment regarding the re-sealing of factories which are still violating the rules and had earlier been de-sealed.

Read Fine increased to Rs200,000

The court was also informed that 36 cafes had been sealed over being found functional after 10 pm. However, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) representative told the court that those cafe owners had obtained a de-sealing order from the LHC. At this, the judge directed to come up with the particular LHC order by December 8.

On artificial rain, Justice Karim came down hard upon the authorities concerned with remarks that there is a need to make sincere efforts for the elimination of smog rather than carry out activities.

"I don’t know where some people want to take this city", Justice Karim remarked and added: "It is astonishing that development projects have been initiated in smog season".