While the ministry of environment and forest feels there is no need to fill the vacant posts, experts believe “it is a mockery of the authority” and speaks about the intentions of the government.
The all-powerful National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) — established to take up critical issues and make the government accountable for all the projects — is now left with only one member. While the ministry of environment and forest feels there is no need to fill the vacant posts, experts believe “it is a mockery of the authority” and speaks about the intentions of the government.
The Delhi high court had directed the ministry in May 2005 to ask the government to fill the vacant posts, but it’s been more than four years and the ministry has not made any efforts in that direction.
“From today [Tuesday] onwards, I am the only member in the NEAA as all the other members and chairpersons have retired. The posts are yet to be filled up,” JC Kala, the sole member of the organisation, said. Kala had retired as the environment secretary and has been a part of the NEAA since 2007.
“We have 25 cases before us and I am hearing all these cases. The ministry should answer as to why they have not filled the vacant posts even though the Delhi high court directed it to do so in May 2005,” Kala said.
Kanchi Kohli, a member of Kalpavriksha, an environment NGO, said, “In 2005, there were 15 cases before the NEAA. Now, this number has gone up to 25 with just one person to hear them. These are very critical cases and will have an impact on our environment. By not appointing people to fill the posts, the government has made a mockery of the NEAA. It shows how serious the government is about environment-related issues.”
The ministry, in its reply to the court, however, said in 2005, that it was going to set up a National Green Tribunal, which will have more authority than the NEAA. Since the formation of the tribunal is underway, there was no need for the NEAA and hence, no need to fill the vacant posts.
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