New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS): The Delhi government has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to levy a Rs 20 lakh fine on North MCD for flouting dust control norms at the city's Bhalswa dumping sites.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday announced the decision while conducting an inspection of the sites in an effort to oversee that norms are followed under the anti-dust campaign in Delhi.

Finding "large scale violation" of Delhi government guidelines, the Minister said all the departments should remain vigilant in dealing with the growing pollution in the national capital.

However, he noted that it is the negligence of the MCD that is responsible for the flouting of norms at the sites.

"We have directed the DPCC to take stringent action and levy a fine of Rs 20 lakh on North MCD for violation of government guidelines. We have directed the MCD to increase water tankers at sites," the Minister said.

Rai said that the Delhi government has issued detailed guidelines about construction work and all the authorities will have to adhere to them.

He said that strict action will be taken along with imposing a penalty for the violation of rules.

"Spraying of water is not regularly done in the area, which is why strict action will be taken against the authorities responsible for ensuring this," Rai said.

"We have further directed that the tanker count should be doubled and the water should be sprayed properly and regularly so that dust in the air can be prevented."

Rai said that the government has launched an anti-dust campaign to check pollution caused by dust in the air in Delhi.

Under the campaign, he said, the Delhi government has issued the necessary guidelines and stringent action will be taken in case of violations.