NGT pulls up govt over Yamuna cleaning

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Monday asked both the Delhi government and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for delaying compliance of orders on Yamuna cleaning project.

The tribunal said it was a matter of great regret that the judgment of the tribunal in relation to cleaning and rejuvenation of river Yamuna passed on January 13, 2015, have not been complied with by the various stakeholders till date.

A bench headed by chairperson Justice Swa-tanter Kumar rapped the authorities saying that except for shifting blame, the stakeholders, including the city government, had no reasons to offer in support of their “inaction and non-cooperation” for completing the project.

It also asked them to explain why the amount earmarked by the Delhi government and the DJB for Yamuna rejuvenation should not be attached for violation of the NGT orders.

During the meeting, which went for over an hour, DJB CEO Keshav Chandra told the tribunal that work on Phase-1 of the project was stopped as the AAP government had initiated an inquiry against him for alleged financial irregularities over the setting up of sewage treatment plants.

Taking exception over the submission, the NGT asked why the DJB CEO did not approach the NGT, instead of stopping the work.