In an interesting development, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Kolkata “dismissed” the petition filed by lower Suktel Budi Anchal Sangram Parishad Secretary Satyanayan Banchhor and Mahada villager Balkrishan Sandha challenging the validation of environment clearance given by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to the lower Suktel project on December 4, 1998 after five years of issuance.
The petitioners too alleged that construction of the project after five years ending December 4, 2003 was illegal.
While lawyer Shankar Prasad Pani appeared for Satyanarayn Banchhor and Balkrushna Sandh, State Advocate General Surya Prasad Mishra, and PK Muduli appeared on behalf of the Government and the Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resource Department, respectively.
The Advocate General argued that that the lower Suktel Irrigation Project authorities started the different preliminary work such as infrastructure development like staff quarters, office buildings, land acquisition in submerged village, detailed survey of spillway and canal work in 1999, within five yearvalidation period of the environment clearance. And the execution of dam and spillway work has been taken up from April 2013 and free fuel (firewood) is being provided to the labourers engaged in this project.
Taking note of Mishra’s argument, Justice SP Wangadi and Prof DC Mishra of The NGT in its order issued on June 1 2016 observed that the environment clearance granted to the project in 1998 is valid and no further EC or revalidation of EC is required, and the petition challenging the EC stands dismissed as it is devoid of merit,