The Supreme Court of India has delivered two landmark judgments, limiting the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) authority to impose penalties based on company revenue. These rulings highlight systemic flaws within the NGT and spark calls for reform to ensure fairness and consistency in environmental violation cases.
A Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revealed significant vacancies in Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) across the northeastern states of India. The report indicates that Manipur has 74 vacant posts, Meghalaya has 70, and Assam has 19. This shortage of staff is seen as a major factor hindering the effective enforcement of environmental Acts and Rules in these states.
The report highlights that Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are the only two states in the country where state PCBs are fully staffed. The CPCB has also provided details about vacant posts in PCBs of other states and union territories.
In response to the report, the NGT has directed all state PCBs and PCCs to submit affidavits explaining the reasons for vacancies and timelines for filling them. The CPCB has been tasked with organizing a meeting with state PCB and PCC officials to address the situation and report back to the Tribunal within 12 weeks.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the demarcation of floodplain zones along the Ganga and Ram Ganga rivers in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district. The move follows a plea alleging illegal construction by GAIL in the floodplains of the rivers. The district magistrate’s report states that Rs 1.12 crore has been allocated to the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) for the demarcation process, which is expected to be completed within 12 months.
