'No penalty for violation of environment norms in last 2 years'

The Environment Ministry had earlier this month termed as "incorrect" claims that Adani Port and SEZ was spared a hefty fine of Rs 200 crore.

The government did not impose any penalty for violation of environment and forest clearances in the last two years, Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday. 

"No penalty was imposed by the ministry for violating conditions of environment, forest, coastal regulation zone clearance in the last two years," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply.

He was asked whether the government has waived the penalty imposed on certain companies recently.

The Environment Ministry had earlier this month termed as "incorrect" claims that Adani Port and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) was spared a hefty fine of Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) for environmental damage during construction of Mundra port and said it had imposed "more serious" responsibility on the firm without any cost limit.

"The inference drawn by the news report is not correct. The present government has not cancelled fine of Rs 200 crore. This decision of the ministry is much more stringent than asking for Rs 200 crore from APSEZL...

"...because here in this case whatever has been recommended by the Sunita Narain Committee for damage restoration and further conservation has to be borne by APSEZL which otherwise was limited to Rs 200 crore," the Ministry had said in a statement.