India, Oct. 18 -- The penalty has been levied for pollution caused in the area during the last two decades

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered coal mines as well as coal-based thermal power stations operating in the critically polluted Singrauli area of Madhya Pradesh to pay a fine of Rs 79 crore on October 11, 2019.

The order came in response to a petition filed by Anjani Jaiswal, a resident of Singrauli in May this year.

Jaiswal had pleaded directions from the NGT to recover compensation from industries in this area that has caused environmental damages over the last two decades and that the fine be used for restoration of the contaminated water bodies and air.

The NGT had formed a committee made up of officials from the pollu...