Justice Umesh Dattatraya Salvi takes over as NGT chairperson

New Delhi: Justice Umesh Dattatraya Salvi took charge as the acting Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday, following the retirement of Justice Swatanter Kumar.

Justice Salvi will continue in office until the date a new chairperson is appointed or the date of his superannuation, whichever is earlier, according to a government notification. He will retire on February 13, 2018.

The ministry of environment and forests notification states, “...The Central government hereby authorises Justice Umesh Dattatraya Salvi, Judicial Member, NGT to act as Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, as the vacancy in the office of Chairperson has arisen due to superannuation of Justice Swatanter Kumar, with effect from December 20, 2017 until the date on which a new Chairperson is appointed or till the date of his superannuation, which-ever is earlier.” Justice Salvi was enrolled as an advocate in 1977.

Elevated as judge at the Bombay high court on February 10, 2009, Justice Salvi was appointed a Judicial Member of the NGT on February 14, 2013.

NGT’s functioning has been hit by vacancies as the apex environment watchdog is left with less than one-third of its sanctioned strength of 20 officials.