Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh Pollution Board Faces Heat as ₹11.79 Crore Fine Lies Unused Amid Rising Environmental Violations
The functioning of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) has come under serious scrutiny after fresh revelations exposed how crores collected as environmental penalties remain largely unspent, even as pollution-related violations continue across the state.
The functioning of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) has come under serious scrutiny after fresh revelations exposed how crores collected as environmental penalties remain largely unspent, even as pollution-related violations continue across the state.
According to information obtained under the RTI Act by environmental activist and advocate Kamal Anand, the board collected a total of ₹11.79 crore as Environmental Compensation Cess (ECC) between April 2024 and March 2026. These funds were meant to support pollution control and environmental restoration under the widely accepted “Polluter Pays” principle.
However, instead of being actively used for cleanup drives and corrective measures, a significant portion of this money appears to be sitting idle.
Funds Parked, Not Utilised
The RTI findings reveal that at least ₹3 crore was parked in fixed deposits, earning around ₹36.58 lakh in interest. While generating interest may seem financially prudent, environmental experts argue that delaying urgent action in ecologically sensitive regions like Himachal Pradesh could have long-term consequences.
Adding to the concern, ₹4.75 crore worth of expenditure remains unexplained, with no clear public record of how or where this money was used. This lack of transparency raises serious questions about accountability and governance.
Ground Reality: Violations Continue
Even as funds lie underutilized, multiple urban local bodies have been penalized for repeated environmental violations:
- Manali Municipal Council was fined ₹2.62 crore for poor waste management practices.
- Mandi faced a penalty of ₹7.5 lakh for releasing untreated waste into the Beas river for nearly three months.
- Solan Municipal Corporation was fined ₹9.9 lakh for issues like leachate leakage, fly infestation, and lack of safety gear for sanitation workers.
- Other areas including Kullu (₹24 lakh) and Tahliwal (₹13 lakh), along with panchayats such as Kasol, Keylong, and Bharmour, also faced penalties for non-compliance.
These repeated violations highlight a troubling gap between policy enforcement and ground-level implementation.
Policy Shift, But Old Problems Persist
The issue comes at a crucial time when the central government has introduced the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, replacing the earlier 2016 framework. Despite stricter norms, compliance with even the previous rules appears weak, indicating deeper systemic challenges.
Call for Personal Accountability
In a significant suggestion, RTI activist Kamal Anand has proposed that environmental penalties should be recovered directly from the salaries of responsible officials instead of burdening public funds.
The idea is simple but impactful: holding individuals accountable could lead to faster compliance and discourage repeated negligence.
A Bigger Question for the Future
As Himachal Pradesh continues to face environmental stress, the larger question remains — will these funds be used effectively to restore damaged ecosystems, or will they continue to sit idle as mere numbers in financial records?
For a state known for its fragile ecology and natural beauty, inaction may come at a cost far greater than the penalties collected.
