Taking strong exception to the State Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi comparing National Green Tribunal to a wild animal, Swami Shivanand Saraswati of Matri Sadan said on Wednesday that they would drag the Minister to the court for such an outrageous comment against a constitutional body.
Notably, the Minister reportedly had said while recently presiding over a meeting at CCR tower in Haridwar on mining issues that NGT was like a wild beast ready to pounce on any person at any point of time. He is reported to have further said that the people are scared of NGT as they are scared of the wild animals.
Swami Shivanand wondered why none of the administrative officials present at the meeting had not shown the spunk and reacted to the minister making such outrageous comment. The seer said it was very unfortunate. “However, we would not allow him to get away with it. We would not just lodge a complaint at the NGT but would take the matter to the court. It is unbecoming of a minister to stoop so low,” he said. He also slammed those saints who are supporting mining. “They must explain why they have chosen to turn into traders while ceasing to be saints. This is perhaps because they are wallowing in creature comforts, travelling in glittering cars and building up luxurious ashrams. They have no trace of sainthood left in them,” the seer said.
However, the Minister had later mellowed a bit and said that the norms of the NGT were very stringent to follow. “This is what is bothering the people. Any programme which bothers the people cannot succeed,” he had said.