NGT raps HP govt over delay in report on Shimla''s ecology

New Delhi, February 20

The National Green Tribunal has rapped the Himachal Pradesh government over inordinate delay in finalising a report on the rapid construction activity and its adverse affect on the ecology of Shimla.

A bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar said that although an expert committee was constituted to study forests, sewage system, water supply and carrying capacity strength of the hills way back in 2015, the report has not yet been duly signed by all its members.

It also pulled up the eight-member expert committee and directed all its members, including its chairman, to appear before it on February 22.

The green panel said the expert panel members were expected to provide proper assistance to the tribunal but by delaying the report and raising objections with regard to its contents, they have shown a conduct "which is least expected from the state and the high-power committee".

"Members of the committee are very highly placed officers in the state government and from different departments or institutions. They were expected to provide proper assistance to the tribunal to arrive at a decision on the principles of precautionary sustainable development as per the provisions of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

"It is also pointed out that with reference to some objections raised by some of the members, suitable amendments have been made in the report. However, it is not clear as to who has raised objections, the basis there of besides conclusions arrived at by the committee. We are really sorry to know about the way the State of Himachal Pradesh has conducted this entire matter before the tribunal," the bench said.

The matter is now listed for next hearing on February 22.

The counsel, appearing for the Himachal Pradesh government, told NGT that the report submitted to the tribunal had not been signed by all the members of the committee as certain members have serious objections to the content of the report.

The report of the expert committee, with regard to the carrying capacity of Shimla and its suburbs on fresh constructions and relaxing the ban on construction in 17 green belts, had been submitted but it has not been signed by all the members. —  PTI