CHANDIGARH, Nov. 1 -- Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has challenged the Rs.4.86-crore environmental compensation imposed on its Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Plant (GHTPP) for failing to meet mandatory biomass co-firing norms, asserting that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed the penalty without independently examining the circumstances behind the shortfall.

In a rejoinder filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on October 28, the state power utility has questioned the legality of CAQM's April 1, 2026, order, arguing that the commission failed to exercise its statutory discretion under Rule 5 of the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023. The provision all...