NGT clears Art of Living event with initial fine of Rs 5 crore

Update: 2016-03-09 20:15 GMT

<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">It also pulled up the government, saying the authorities had failed to discharge their duties.

<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The tribunal also imposed a fine of Rs.5 lakh on Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and a fine of Rs.1 lakh on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

The NGT, headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, described the DPCC as "incompetent", saying it had failed to discharge its duty.<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The NGT ordered a study of the area to assess damage to the river's flood plain after the event, following which, the tribunal said, the fine may be increased manifold. "You may have to pay for the restoration of environment," it said. Any damage to the water bodies would also have to be paid for.<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">

<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The four-member green bench said AoL could be asked to pay for setting up a biodiversity park in the area. <div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The tribunal pulled up the environment ministry, saying: "What is your primary duty? Do you believe Art of Living has not done any damage to the environment?"<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">

<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Counsel for the environment ministry said that "we may conclude this only after conducting a study".<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The tribunal then said, possibly sarcastically: "A study will only be (carried out) after damage has been done?"<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">

It told the water resources ministry that "managing, conserving and developing the river plains primarily falls under your domain".<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The tribunal also said that "all (government) authorities have failed to fulfil their duties".<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The NGT was moved over the alleged violation of environmental laws and pollution of Yamuna river likely to be caused by the event which is to be held from <span data-term="goog_1164394655" tabindex="0" data-style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;">_March 11 to 13

. AoL told the tribunal that three lakh people from 155 countries would attend. However, in its promotional literature, it had claimed that 35 lakh people would come.<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Environmental activist Manoj Mishra, who filed the petition, had insisted that the event should not only be stopped but the tribunal should also impose a fine on the organisers.<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">

<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"The court has accepted our contention," Mishra told reporters post-verdict adding "we have been successful in highlighting our primary point". <div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">He said the fine imposed on AoL is only an initial one.<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">

Art of Living admitted in court that they had spent Rs.25.63 crore for the event, of which Rs.15.63 crore was for stage formation and marquees while the remaining Rs.10 crore was paid for decoration and lighting.<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div data-style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The event is likely to be attended by several central ministers. It is unclear whether the prime minister too would go. Rashtrapati Bhavan officials said <span data-term="goog_1164394656" tabindex="0" data-style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;">_on Monday that President Pranab Mukherjee would not be attending the event.

NGT clears Art of Living event with initial fine of Rs 5 crore

Similar News

NIPCCD renamed as Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development

T'gana pharma plant explosion: Sigachi Industries says 40 people killed, announces Rs 1 cr ex gratia

What option I have? Have to stand by him, says Shivakumar on Siddaramaiah's 5 years as CM statement

Arunachal is India's 'largest' carbon sink: Khandu

MLA Hemant Khandelwal elected Madhya Pradesh BJP president

Won't accept 3-language policy even in future: Sanjay Raut

Telangana plant explosion: Debris clearance almost over, Sigachi unit has no NoC from Fire Dept

NCP's tour across Maharashtra soon to strengthen party: Ajit Pawar

L-G flags off first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Jammu amid multi-tier security

India, US hold key talks to boost strategic ties amid regional shift

India asks Pak to expedite release of Indian prisoners in its custody

Congress corners govt on SAIL scam