Committee blames EPA for delay in collection of fines; calls officials for meeting

The Parliament’s Environment Committee has summoned officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a meeting, after blaming the delay in collection of various fines for environmental damage on the agency’s “carelessness.”

At a meeting on Monday, Gemanafushi MP Asadhulla Shihab said that the delay in collection of fines was caused by EPA’s failure to properly follow through on cases. He said the committee must look into the challenges in collecting fine payments.

“We must look into the challenges in collecting these funds. Why isn’t the state getting these funds? I think we should discuss this with the EPA first. I personally believe EPA isn’t properly looking into this,” he said.

He also expressed concern over delays in EPA’s investigations into various cases, and accused the agency of carelessness.

He also accused the EPA of issuing judgements without conducting proper investigations.

Meanwhile, Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer said that a letter by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on the subject does not explain the reason for the delay in collection of fines.

Zareer said that while parties are “easily” fined for environmental damage, a look into documents shared by the AGO shows that none of these cases have been settled. He said the situation was “a bit too much.”

“Some of these cases have been stymied and are with the AGO. But the reason for the delay isn’t explained. Some of the incidents that happened back in 2016 remain stymied at the AGO. This is regrettable. These aren’t big cases, but still, it’s the state’s responsibility to file lawsuits, isn’t it?”

Following Zareer’s comments, Asadhulla suggested summoning EPA’s officials to the committee for a meeting. The proposal was seconded by Zareer.

The state is owed millions of Rufiyaa in fines for environmental damage.