Irked over repeated absence of the Environment Ministry representative during its proceedings despite orders, the National Green Tribunal has directed it to take appropriate steps saying the green panel should not be treated "lightly".
"Nobody is present on behalf of Environment Ministry. We may notice here that this is the fourth case in which nobody is present on behalf of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. This certainly does not help the cause of administration of justice.
"In some cases replies are not filed and the counsel is not present, while in others replies not filed but counsel is present. We direct the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to examine this persistent problem that NGT is facing and take appropriate steps," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The tribunal made the observations after no counsel appeared for the ministry in four matters, including one opposing the clearance granted to a 1320 MW Coal-Based Thermal Power Plant in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
The green panel was also displeased with the lack of instructions to counsel for MoEF in another part-heard matter pertaining to sand mining being carried out in violation of stipulated guidelines.
"What is this? What is going on? Stop taking the Tribunal lightly. This is a part heard matter. It is being adjourned because of the ministry. We direct MoEF to take appropriate measures to ensure presence of their counsel before the tribunal to argue the matter," the NGT added.
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