EPA negligence behind failure to receive environmental damage fines: MPs

Members of parliament's Committee on Environment and Climate Change expressed concerns today over allegations of Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) negligence in delayed payment of fines for incidents of environmental damage.

During a meeting this morning, the committee decided to summon senior EPA officials to their next meeting to address these issues.

The proposal to call in EPA officials was submitted by Gemanafushi MP Asadhulla Shihab.

MP Asadhulla argued that the delays in collecting fines and handling related issues are due to EPA’s oversight.

He said that EPA officials need to explain the reasons behind these delays.

“I personally believe that EPA has not managed this matter efficiently,” Asadhulla said.

He also highlighted the agency's negligence in investigating long-standing cases and alleged that some cases were decided without thorough investigations.

“They are concluding cases very carelessly,” MP Asadhulla added.

The motion to summon EPA officials was supported by Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer and was unanimously approved by the committee members. EPA officials are scheduled to appear at the committee meeting on Monday.

MP Zareer noted that documents from the Attorney General's Office reveal that no cases regarding environmental damage fines have been filed in court.

He expressed skepticism about claims that legal obstacles are the sole reason for the lack of court action, suggesting instead that administrative issues may be at play.

“Fines are administered very swiftly. However, if you review the records, you'll see that not a single case has been resolved in court. It’s quite alarming,” MP Zareer said.

According to information provided to Mihaaru News under the Right to Information Act, the state has yet to collect over MVR 676 million from fines imposed for environmental damage from 2009 to June of last year.