All regional benches of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had remained only on paper, will become functional by September this year, the Centre on Friday gave an assurance in this regard before the Supreme Court.
The apex court had been pursuing with the Government on making the benches at Pune, Bhopal and Kolkata fully functional with appointment of members, allocation of office space, residence, recruitment of staff and provision of other facilities.
With one of the benches at Chennai already functional along with the principal seat of NGT at Delhi, the bench of Justices GS Singhvi and SJ Mukhopadhaya had insisted upon the Centre to fast-track the functioning of the remaining three benches, realising the importance of a green bench in every region of the country.
Having begun hearing of the case in December last year, the apex court threatened to close down NGT citing Centre's casual approach to fill up vacancies and allot office space for functioning of the tribunal. Getting assistance of the Attorney General on board, the bench was informed on Friday that the Bhopal bench was on track while Pune bench is awaiting inauguration. The last of the lot was Kolkata bench, which would be ready by third week of September.
The Court also secured a victory by initiating the Government to bring uniformity in administrative and financial functions and powers of various tribunals in the country. In this regard a Bill was pending for Cabinet's nod following which it is expected to reach Parliament, Attorney General GE Vahanvati informed.
There were over 60 tribunals functioning in the country. The bench was anguished to note the manner in which judges appointed as heads of the tribunals were not given accommodation and other benefits commensurate with their entitlement. The matter is expected to be heard next on December 6.