Artistes during the inaugural day of the World Culture Festival by Art of Living's Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo: G.N. JHA)
Artistes during the inaugural day of the World Culture Festival by Art of Living's Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo: G.N. JHA)
The National Green Tribunal bench on Friday clarified that the amount of Rs 5 crore to be paid by Art of Living Foundation be treated as “environmental compensation, and not as penalty”. “We are only concerned with compliance of its (the court’s) directions with regard to the pollution of the river Yamuna during the course of the event.”
“Certainly, adherence to the rule of law is the duty not only of the government but of every citizen of the country. The rule of law is the very foundation of the administration of justice system,” the bench said, adding, “If the rule of law is undermined, it raises a challenge not only for the justice delivery system, but even to the capability of the government to enforce.”
Art of Living Foundation has been drawing a great deal of flak for the possible environmental damage their three-day event could cause to the Yamuna flood plains. The NGT on Thursday had exhorted AoL to cough up Rs 5 crore, failing which the “law will take its own course”.
The hearing on Friday, which saw the deployment of CRPF and Delhi police personnel in view of a threat by Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena members to hold demonstrations, lasted over two hours. The proceedings were briefly disrupted by an Ojaswi Party member who was later thrown out of the court room with the NGT issuing a showcause notice to him for contempt of court. It was, however, withdrawn, but with a warning, on the request of another party member.
While reiterating that civic agencies and concerned authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure no pollution of the Yamuna river occurs during the international extravaganza and solid waste is disposed of, the tribunal pulled up the ministry of water resources for not doing anything to protect the river despite directions. “What have you done Have you inspected the river Despite directions you have not checked pollution in the river,” the bench said.
Environmentalist Manoj Mishra had petitioned the court seeking a stay on AoL’s gala event which took off on Friday evening.
The petition alleged that the foundation did not pay the Rs 5 crore fine and nor did it taken mandatory permissions from the competent authorities, like the fire department, police and the Central Public Works Department.
