No permission for AoL event: Water Resources Ministry to NGT

Faced with tough questions from NGT, the Water Resources ministry on Wednesday told the panel it has not granted permission for ‘World Cultural Festival’ being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living foundation from March 11 while another ministry said no clearance was required for temporary structures.

Responding to questions from the green panel, the Water Resources ministry distanced itself from the controversy, saying it has not given any clearance for the three-day event.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, whereas, told the NGT bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar that no environment clearance was required for setting up temporary structures on Yamuna flood plains. The ministry’s submission came after the tribunal, which was hearing pleas seeking cancellation of the festival on the flood plains of Yamuna river, had pulled it up for not filing an affidavit regarding environmental clearances.