The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently directed a panel to take remedial measures over the alleged illegal extraction of groundwater.
Earlier, while hearing a plea seeking execution of the tribunal’s order passed in April 2021, the NGT directed the panel to look into the legality of groundwater extraction by the hotels & similar establishments.
Besides their compliance with norms, includes consent conditions for extraction, & groundwater availability & replenishment measures. The plea sought an injunction against the “illegal” withdrawal of groundwater by 536 hotels operating in Paharganj.
A bench of chairperson Justice AK Goel stated though an application clubbed multiple causes of action that weren’t permissible under the rules, the tribunal could exercise Suo motu (on its own) jurisdiction if there are serious violations of environmental norms.
Furthermore, the judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal & expert members A Senthil Vel & Afroz Ahmad, stated that it was going into the merits of the matter noting the serious allegations which, if true, showed a serious violation of norms & the judgment of the Supreme Court by individuals & authorities concerned.
