Who certifies the enforcement cost?

According to Section 64 of the Punjab Environmental Regulation and Administration (PERA) Act, once the Enforcement Officer prepares the report of enforcement cost, it is reviewed and certified by the Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer (SDEO). This certification step ensures that all reported expenses are legitimate, necessary, and properly documented before any further administrative or financial actions are taken.

The SDEO serves as a vital oversight authority between the field-level Enforcement Officer and the higher administrative bodies such as the Hearing Officer or the Authority. Their role in certifying enforcement costs ensures financial integrity and procedural transparency in the implementation of the Act. The SDEO carefully examines all expenditure entries — including operational costs, manpower deployment, logistics, and material usage — to confirm their accuracy and relevance to the enforcement action conducted.

Once verified, the SDEO formally certifies the cost report, marking it as an official document for submission to the Hearing Officer. This certification acts as a form of administrative audit, confirming that public resources have been utilized responsibly in accordance with legal and regulatory provisions.

By mandating SDEO certification, the PERA Act prevents inflated or unauthorized expenses, ensuring that only authentic costs are recognized in the enforcement process. This also strengthens accountability among enforcement staff and promotes ethical management of government resources.

In essence, the Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer (SDEO) functions as both a reviewer and certifier, maintaining the accuracy and legitimacy of enforcement cost records under Section 64 of the PERA Act. Their certification upholds the principles of transparency, legality, and fiscal discipline in the entire enforcement procedure.

Legal Note: Section 64 – Certification of Enforcement Cost by Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer (SDEO).