Union Minister of State for Environment Prakash Javadekar was upset with what he described as “off the cuff” remarks made by the Supreme Court in the context of a recent case where the apex court referred to the Ministry of Environment as “Kumbhakarna” for not submitting an affidavit in time. This was in the case of the dams in Uttarakhand where the ministry has to respond on biodiversity impacts for the lifting of the stay on 24 dams.
Speaking at the fourth foundation day of the National Green Tribunal(NGT), Mr. Javadekar said that earlier when public interest litigations were filed they had public interest but now there were parallel interests or publicity interests. In this context he referred to the recent remarks of the Supreme Court and checked with Justice Ranjan Gogoi who was chief guest for the function whether he was committing contempt of court.
After the Supreme Court hauled up the Environment Ministry for its Ganga Action Plan, Mr Javadekar said within two days a proper plan was submitted. As the executive “we will do our best to serve the country,” he said , calling for balance between the judiciary, legislature and the executive. Compliance is the key, he pointed out, adding that the NGT and other courts would help the ministry. The government was keen on creating a system where environment and development can go together.
He was also hurt when the apex court questioned the government over the Leader of the Opposition issue. If people did not elect the requisite number of MPs what could the government do? he asked.
While there are reports that the government is planning to reduce the powers of the NGT, the minister praised the tribunal and said it had created an institution.
