Who is empowered to enforce an EPO if the offender neither complies nor appeals?

The PERA Force Laws establish a structured enforcement system to ensure compliance with Environmental Protection Orders (EPOs) issued to prevent or remedy public nuisances or environmental violations. Once an EPO is served, the offender has the right to either comply with the directives or file a representation to contest the order within the stipulated timeframe.

However, if the offender fails to comply with the EPO and does not submit any appeal or representation, the law empowers the Enforcement Officer (EO) to take immediate action to enforce the order. The EO operates under the legal framework set by the Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer (SDEO) and the Authority, ensuring that all enforcement steps are carried out properly and transparently.

The EO’s enforcement actions may include:

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  Imposing fines as prescribed in the EPO,

  
  


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  Confiscation of goods or equipment contributing to the nuisance,

  
  


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  Sealing premises that are causing or allowing violations,

  
  


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  Initiating arrests if necessary under the relevant provisions,

  
  


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  Registering an FIR for persistent non-compliance, and

  
  


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  Recovering enforcement costs incurred during the process.

  
  

This mechanism ensures that the EPO is not merely a paper directive but an actionable order backed by legal authority. By assigning enforcement powers to the EO, the PERA Force Laws maintain efficiency, accountability, and compliance, preventing offenders from disregarding regulatory directives.

In essence, under the PERA Force Laws, when an offender neither complies with an EPO nor appeals it, the Enforcement Officer (EO) is fully empowered to enforce the order, ensuring that public and environmental interests are protected.