Transfer of NGT judge who questioned MP government’s inaction on dam site encroachment

Bhopal (IANS). Justice Sudhir Agarwal, who questioned the Madhya Pradesh government’s inaction on the dam site encroachment, has been transferred from the Central Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to the Principal Bench in Delhi.

As per the order issued on Saturday, Justice SK Singh will now head the principal bench. As per reports, the Central Bench of the Madhya Pradesh NGT headed by Justice Sudhir Agarwal expressed strong displeasure over the inaction of the state government in removing encroachments from the prohibited areas around the Kaliasot and Kerwa dam sites in Bhopal.

Along with this, the tribunal also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the state government. Justice Aggarwal has been transferred to Delhi a week after this.

The NGT also noted that the entire system of the Madhya Pradesh government appears to be inefficient as the lawyers representing the case seek extension of date instead of arguing properly during the hearing.

Significantly, in 2014, the NGT had issued an order to remove illegal constructions within a radius of 33.3 meters of the river bed. The NGT had given one month’s time to comply with the order.

The tribunal had also asked Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains whether he had read the order. The tribunal further observed that there is lack of coordination among the departments concerned in initiating action against the encroachers.

The NGT remarks have sparked a political row in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh with Congress leader Govind Singh (LoP) and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha questioning Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains’ extension.

Several multi-storeys have been constructed on the banks of Kaliasot and Kerwa dams in Bhopal, which have been questioned in the petition. Around 40,000-50,000 people and around 30 residential colonies in Kolar satellite township will be affected by the NGT order demarcating illegal constructions within 33.3 meters from the Kaliyasot river bed.

Following the August 18 NGT order this month, the water resources department, Bhopal Municipal Corporation and district administration swung into action to measure the Kaliyasot river bed and verify full tank level (FTL) pillars in the river bed and catchment areas Were.