Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Today, the Assistant Solicitor General has informed the High Court that the Western Bench of the National Green Tribunal at Pune will be functional by the end of April.
The High Court has adjourned the matter for May 2.
“Western Bench of the National Green Tribunal at Pune will functional by the end of April,” said ASG Pravin Faldesai to HC.
The High Court has issued notice to the Registrars of the Principal Bench and the Western Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal on a PIL filed by the Goa Foundation for setting up the Western Zone bench, which has been non-functional since January 2022.
The Western Zone bench has been inoperative from 4.1.2022, ever since the resignation of its judicial member.
The Supreme Court of India, by its order dated 31.01.2018, had disallowed single-member benches from functioning, as this would be contrary to the NGT statute.
However, even before the incapacitation of the Western Zone bench, select matters were being taken out of its jurisdiction and heard by the Northern Zone Bench.
