National Green Tribunal won’t review fine imposed on Akshardham

Standing by its decision of imposing a fine on Akshardham temple management last year for carrying out expansion without prior environmental clearance, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday said there was “no ground” to review the judgment.

“There is no ground to review our judgment dated 10 July 2015. However, we clarify that the principal committee constituted under our judgment should deal with the case stated to be or allegedly falling within the flood plain... Of the river Yamuna expeditiously and submit the report,” a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said, allowing, at the same time, the petitioner to approach the principal committee headed by Shashi Shekhar (secretary in ministry of water resources) for redressal of its grievances and directed the panel to expedite hearing in the matter.

The green panel had on July 7 quashed two office memoranda of the environment ministry dealing with the issue of clearances for major and minor projects, saying they suffered from infirmity of “lack of inherent jurisdiction and authority”.