Jaipur, Sept. 10 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) to impose Environmental Damage Compensation (EDC) on operators of illegal crucibles or bhattis found running in the Aravalli region along the Rajasthan-Haryana border. The direction was issued by the NGT Principal Bench in a suo motu case following a December 2024 report in an English daily on pollution by illegal scrap-processing kilns in the Aravallis. In Rajasthan, the RSPCB identified several illegal crucibles or bhattis in Udhanwas village of Alwar district, near the Haryana border. The units were allegedly operating without the required permissions and adequate air-pollution-control measures. The RSPCB subsequently carried out a joint enforcement operation on May 2, 2025, during which eight illegal crucibles or bhattis were dismantled. The Tribunal, however, noted that while the units had been identified and dismantled, the RSPCB had not reported any action to recover EDC for the violations committed in the past. The NGT has now directed the RSPCB to levy EDC on the identified violators after following the principles of natural justice. The process has to be completed within three months. htc...