"What prevents the state and central government authorities to pick the instrument that Alexander Graham Bell invented more than a century ago - the telephone," the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana observed, exasperated by repeated pleas for adjournments.
In its order, the bench said that "to say the least, this is exasperating. It gives an impression as if the central and state governments are incapable of picking up what Alexander Graham Bell invented years ago, and sorting out the issue."
The PIL has been filed by E Seshan (65), a conservationist and wildlife photographer who had worked with the Zoological Survey of India for more than 35 years.
His PIL challenged legality of the amendments made to Environmental Impact Assessment and the notification issued in December 2014 by the EIA authority modifying the definition of built-up area and providing exemptions which ran contrary to the main Act.
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On October 6, when the matter came up, the Assistant Solicitor General had sought two-week adjournment.
When the matter came up on Thursday, the First Bench
criticized the authorities for seeking adjournments on one or other ground.
"There seems to be great reluctance for even the high court to have a look and make suggestions. We are inclined to at least refer this order to the cabinet secretariat to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned our anguish about the matter in which such aspects are dealt with."
The bench then posted the matter to January 7 and directed the central and state governments to do the needful by that date.