Today, On 6th September, the Supreme Court granted temporary relief to Uttarakhand government officials by suspending legal action ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over their failure to curb Ganga River pollution. The court also issued a notice to the central government to examine the matter. The next hearing is scheduled for December.
Today(on 3rd August), Advocate Akash Vashishtha has urged Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud to establish dedicated “green benches” in all high courts to ensure prompt and effective handling of environmental cases. Vashishtha stressed the urgency due to rising climate and ecological crises.
The Kerala High Court has directed the formation of an expert committee to address Periyar River pollution, noting the adverse impact of industrial effluents. Despite previous directives, government authorities and existing committees have failed to effectively tackle the pollution issue. The court has mandated the formation of a new committee and scheduled further hearings for July 3.
The Supreme Court restored an order halting construction at Jilling Estate, Uttarakhand, due to concerns of ecological damage and wildlife disruption. Birendra Singh’s plea for comprehensive environmental impact assessment was upheld. The dispute over single-window clearances and ‘Deemed Forest’ classification continues, with the next hearing scheduled for August 12.
The Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party, has filed 10 petitions against the lieutenant governor (LG) in the Supreme Court between April 2023 and May 2024. These petitions cover various issues, including challenges to the GNCTD Act, appointment disputes, and funding for welfare schemes, reflecting ongoing legal tensions between the two entities.
Today 4th April Attorney General (AG)R Venkataramani stressed the need to understand India’s history before shaping its future at the book launch of Yashraj Singh Bundela’s “Integration of Bharat: Political and Constitutional Perspective.” He emphasized the interdependence of constitution and politics and India’s unity through culture, as symbolized by a 1984 Supreme Court ruling and a Sanskrit inscription on the court’s emblem.
Today (3rd April) The National Green Tribunal acknowledged the water supply issue at M Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL matches in Bengaluru, amidst a severe city-wide water crisis. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board permitted treated water supply, prompting NGT to register a case and issue notices to relevant authorities. The next hearing is scheduled for May 2.
The National Green Tribunal-NGT declined to grant a 5-year extension for the registration of three specialized armoured vehicles utilized by the Special Protection Group (SPG) to safeguard the Prime Minister-PM of India. The Tribunal cited Supreme Court directives, highlighting that diesel vehicles exceeding 10-years cannot be allowed to operate in the National Capital Region.
The National Green Tribunal has warned Bihar’s chief secretary to provide information on Ganga water pollution within six weeks, threatening personal appearance otherwise. This directive came during proceedings on pollution prevention in the Ganga within Bihar. The tribunal had initiated action on the pollution matter in five states last year. Review is set for May 1.
The NGT in the central zone has proactively responded to the firecracker factory explosion in Harda district, issuing notices to authorities and mandating compensation deposits from factory owners. Emphasizing interim relief and initiating a high-level investigation committee, the NGT demonstrates its commitment to environmental safety and accountability, ensuring swift action and thorough scrutiny of the incident.
