NGT slams govt over rainwater harvesting system in schools

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Wednesday slammed the Delhi government for its failure to install rainwater harvesting system in schools and colleges and summoned senior official of the education department with complete records. A bench of Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore and expert member SS Garbyal expressed surprise over the AAP government's inability to apprise it about the exact number of schools and colleges in the city. "What action have you taken to install rainwater harvesting system? The tribunal has passed the order on November 16, 2017, and asked you to complete the exercise in two months. Show us what action have you taken?" the bench said. The lawyer appearing for the Delhi government informed it that out of 1,600 private schools, 901 have installed, while 699 are remaining and out of 742 government schools, only 528 have set up the rainwater harvesting system. When the bench asked about the number of aided and unaided schools in the city, the lawyer was unable to give details. When it sought to know the reason for the delay, the lawyer told the tribunal that work was underway and tenders have been issued. The tribunal said, "You are trying to tell us like a child about the process. The parrot-like reply is coming from the officers. What tender are you talking about? This is a mere excuse." During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the DU told the tribunal that out of total 65, six colleges are in the process to install the rainwater harvesting system.