Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding major structures in Jharkhand lacking EIA, 05/05/2020
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of R. K. Singh Vs Union of India & Others dated 05/05/2020 regarding large number of major structures in the State of Jharkhand which have not undergone the EIA process, appear to have been substantiated.
The Tribunal in its previous order had directed the MoEF& CC to examine the matter in depth and to work out a viable measure to deal with the situation. With respect to the Vidhan Sabha building, the state has submitted the application before the MoEF& CC for consideration under the violation notification. The ministry was supposed to submit a report vide order of January 16, 2020 before March 16, 2020 but was unable to do so.
When the case was taken up on May 5 also, no report was filed on behalf of the ministry. The state of Jharkhand informed the NGT that EIA proceedings pertaining to Vidhan Sabha building has been completed and Environmental Clearance also granted. But the state representative was unable to give any information for other structures. The ministry also informed the court that a fresh draft notification relating to violation cases had already been published and uploaded in the website of the MoEF& CC and asks for more time to put information relating to further steps by way of an affidavit.
NGT grants more time for the reports to be filed and for filing show cause notice by the state of Jharkhand on “why the compensation assessed by the CPCB be not directed to be paid.”