Chandigarh, Nov. 14 -- In a bid to curb dust pollution, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) has decided to impose penalties on commercial and government establishments with open spaces of loose soil exceeding 300 square metres.

The fines, ranging from Rs.5,000 to Rs.1 lakh per event, will be doubled during winter months (October 15 to February 15) when air quality typically deteriorates.

The decision was taken at the 75th Governing Body meeting of the CPCC, chaired by UT home secretary Mandip Singh Brar. The committee formally adopted the Central Pollution Control Board's methodology for imposing Environmental Compensation (EC) to ensure effective enforcement of environmental laws.

During the meeting, the governing body d...