Supreme Court stays NGT’s 100 crore fine on Andhra
However, the order to deposit 25 crores in eight weeks
The NGT imposed a penalty for the violation of environmental regulations for the construction of Avulapalli reservoir
Updated: May 24th, 2023
(PTI) New Delhi, Dt. 24
The Supreme Court today pronounced its verdict in the case of violation of environmental regulations for the construction of Avulapalli reservoir. The Supreme Court has stayed the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposing a penalty of Rs 100 crore on the Andhra Pradesh government in the case of obtaining environmental clearance for the Avulapalli reservoir project.
A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice M M Sundaresh said that the verdict on the penalty will be stayed subject to the appellants depositing Rs 25 crore within eight weeks from today.
The Supreme Court passed the interim order while hearing an appeal filed by the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) against the NGT’s order canceling the environmental clearance granted to the Avulapalli reservoir in Andhra Pradesh and imposing a penalty of Rs 100 crore on the state’s water resources department.
The NGT, in its order, said that it is very disturbing that a government department has violated environmental laws and lied., False statements and betrayal of SEIA can go to such lengths to implement an irrigation project.