From Aug 1, Approaching Authorities Concerned A Must Before Coming To Tribunal, Says NGT [Read Order]

From August 1, every person coming to the National Green Tribunal highlighting violation of any environmental law must first approach the authorities concerned and give them 15 days’ time to respond before moving the tribunal.

The same has been ordered by NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice AK Goel with a view that the same may provide quicker remedy.

The bench said so while hearing a petition concerning failure of the State, its agencies and others to implement the mandate of law against pollution caused by thermal power plants, coal washeries and other industries in Tamnar and Gharghoda blocks of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh.

“We are of the view that every Applicant who approaches this Tribunal must indicate in the Application/Appeal the specific provision of a statue violated, substantiate questions of environment arising in the matter and the persons accountable for the same particularly, the public authorities,” said the bench.

“Before approaching this Tribunal, such person must normally approach the concerned Authorities and give them at least 15 days time to respond. Such authorities must give their response either to the individual concerned or put the same on the respective website at the earliest. If a person approaches this Tribunal, the response received should also be mentioned in the Application filed before the Tribunal,” the tribunal has directed.

“This procedure may provide quicker remedy to the individuals and also enable the Authorities to indicate their stand,” it said.

The tribunal said this procedure has to be followed from August 1, 2018 unless an exception is made out.

The bench directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to convey this order to all the statutory authorities in the country by e-mail.

Registry to send all communication via SMS/e-mail

The bench also directed that the “registry of the Tribunal may send, as far as possible, all communications by SMS/E-mail and for this purpose require furnishing of these particulars by all concerned. E-mail/SMS of all authorities may be compiled”.