Where must offences be reported?

As stated in Section 63 of the Punjab Environmental Regulation and Administration (PERA) Act, any offence committed under the Act or related laws must be reported directly to the Enforcement Station. The Enforcement Station serves as the operational and investigative arm of the Authority, responsible for ensuring compliance, conducting inquiries, and initiating enforcement proceedings.

This legal requirement ensures that offences are reported to a centralized authority equipped to handle regulatory matters efficiently. The Enforcement Station is not merely a reporting office—it acts as a command center for gathering evidence, recording statements, and forwarding verified cases to higher authorities or the Board when necessary.

By directing all offence reports to the Enforcement Station instead of the police or courts, the PERA Act aims to create a specialized enforcement mechanism dedicated to handling regulatory violations under its framework. This helps streamline investigations and avoids overlapping jurisdictions.

When offences are reported to the Enforcement Station, officers can immediately assess the gravity of the violation, secure evidence, and take prompt legal or administrative measures. Written reports, often submitted by village officials, headmen, or chaukidars, ensure accountability and provide a verifiable trail for prosecution or corrective action.

Failing to report an offence to the Enforcement Station may delay enforcement and hinder justice, which is why the law clearly designates this body as the primary recipient of offence information.

In short, Section 63 establishes that all reports of offences under the PERA Act must be directed to the Enforcement Station, ensuring timely, lawful, and effective enforcement.

Legal Note: Section 63 – Reporting and Assistance Duties; All Offences to be Reported to the Enforcement Station.