The National Green Tribunal Bill, which envisages quick and effective disposal of environment related issues, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with members asking for more powers to the proposed body for settling civil disputes over environment related issues.
Initiating the discussion on the bill, Bal Apte (BJP) said tribunals are not easily approachable. The intention of the bill was good but the legislation was defective, he said.
He sought more powers to the proposed body and said appointments in the tribunal should be extended to judges of the High Court besides that of the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of the High Court.
Ram Chandra Khuntia (Congress) supported the bill while Saman Pathak (CPI-M) feared that the tribunal could become a tool in the hands of corporate houses.
V. Maitreyan (AIADMK) demanded greater transparency and objectivity in the appointment of members of the tribunal.
Brij Bhushan Tiwary (SP), Kumar Deepak Das (AGP) and M.P. Achuthan (CPI-M) sought an increase in the number of tribunal members and wanted more tribunals in the States.
