Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti on Wednesday said the Water Resources Ministry has no role in granting or not granting permission to World Culture Festival.
"I saw the news on Sri Sri Ravishankar's programme in Delhi; I called Shashi Shekhar, secretary, water resources ministry. I want to inform you that our ministry has got no role in granting or not granting permission to World Culture Festival," Bharti told ANI.
The Union Water Resources Minister further wished success to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the World Culture Festival.
"Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji and his followers are committed to environment; I'm sure no damage will be done.I think that after this festival is completed Yamuna would be revived," she added.
The National Green Tribunal today gave its consent for Art of Living function, but imposed Rs. five crore penalty on Art of living foundation for damaging environment.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swantanter Kumar had yesterday asked Ministry of Environment and Forest to file an affidavit and spell out why no environmental clearance is needed for raising temporary structures.
The direction came after counsel appearing for the Ministry said that they have found no debris at the site, when an expert team had visited. Counsel added that as per Environment Impact Assessment notification 2006, no environment clearance is needed for temporary structures.