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<ul><li>Shareholders are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact caused by corporates and they're willing to take the reins of change into their own hands.</li><li>Oil majors <keyword id="6383208" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="exxon">Exxon</keyword>, <keyword id="60772" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chevron">Chevron</keyword> and <keyword id="46532" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shell">Shell</keyword> all saw upheavals this week as investors pushed for more accountability and better measures to address global warming. </li><li>As the world gets warmer, it’s more than likely that the number of legal challenges pointed at the oil and gas industry is only going to increase. </li></ul>Fossil fuels are being put on trial around the world as oil majors like Exxon, Chevron, and Shell are being forced to recognise the impact of <keyword id="6361617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change">climate change</keyword>. The incidents of this week are a warning shot to other players in the field that greenwashing won’t work anymore. US oil giants Exxon and Chevron saw their own shareholders turn against them. A tiny hedge fund led by climate change activists called <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/exxonmobil-announces-preliminary-results-in-election-of-directors-2021-05-26">Engine No.1</a> was able to replace two of Exxon’s board members with its own candidates. Meanwhile, at Chevron, 61% of its shareholders voted in favour of <a href="https://www.follow-this.org/61-of-chevron-shareholders-support-follow-this-climate-resolution/">Follow This’</a> proposal, which will force the company to cut its carbon emissions. And, in the Netherlands, another group of climate change campaigners called <a href="https://foe.org/news/historic-victory-judge-forces-shell-to-drastically-reduce-co2-emissions/">Friends of the Earth</a> won a court battle in Hague, which will force Shell to cut its carbon emissions by 45% over the next 10 years. Investors are more conscious of where they are willing to put their money today. ‘Impact investing’ — when investments are made with the intention to generate a positive, measurable and environmental impact along with financial returns — may have started among the millennials, but now, every generation wants it. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Why other oil majors should be nervous" comment="subhead" text="Why other oil majors should be nervous">Why other oil majors should be nervous</cmsannotation> The actions taken this week reflect the push among investors for the energy sector to take fossil fuels out of the equation. It's a very clear memo to oil majors that shareholders aren’t kidding about climate change — and the margin for bad faith is getting thinner by the second. According to a 2020 report by the International Energy Agency (<a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-oil-and-gas-industry-in-energy-transitions">IEA</a>), “There are few signs of large-scale change in capital allocation needed to put the world on a more sustainable path.” Simply put, big oil needs to put its money where its mouth is because so far, none of their goals are aligned with the Paris Climate Change Agreement target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The IEA’s report shows BP doing better than the rest of the fossil fuel industry, but none of the big five — Exxon, Chevron, BP, Total and Shell — are anywhere close to clearing the bar. <div type="image" title="Screenshot (916)_edited" msid="83003044" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Investment by oil and gas companies outside their core business areas has been less than 1% of total capital expenditure&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> In India, the <keyword id="146133" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Green-Tribunal">National Green Tribunal</keyword> (<a href="http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/470259/joint-inspection-report-on-gail-india-and-ongc-units-in-andhra-pradesh-12042021/">NGT</a>) flagged off environmental violations by <keyword id="64243" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oil-and-Natural-Gas-Corporation">Oil and Natural Gas Corporation</keyword> (<keyword id="6354737" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ONGC">ONGC</keyword>) and GAIL in the Krishna-Godavari basin just last month. Oil leakages from the three units in the area were damaging farm land and polluting the water supply. The panel asked the two to pay ₹17 crore in penalties to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This may look like a big number for you or me, but it’s only 0.2% of ONGC’s profit in FY20. As the world gets warmer, it’s more than likely that the number of legal challenges pointed at the oil and gas industry is only going to increase. Shareholders are going to demand more accountability and companies will be forced to recognise the threat that fossil fuels pose to the world. Those still looking towards fossil fuels have a big reckoning in the works. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/softbank-backed-paytm-pivots-to-a-3-billion-ipo-plan-a-year-into-the-pandemic-it-could-be-the-largest-market-debut-in-india/articleshow/83000446.cms">Softbank-backed Paytm fast tracks IPO plan a year into the pandemic ⁠— a $3 billion fundraising could be the biggest market debut in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/facebook-may-restrict-accounts-that-repeatedly-spread-misinformation/articleshow/82994841.cms">Facebook may restrict accounts that repeatedly spread misinformation</a>

Exxon, Chevron and Shell are being forced to do something about climate change — and this is only the beginning of the big test for big oil

The <keyword id="6357743" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ngt">NGT</keyword> has imposed an interim penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the Karnataka government over pollution in the <keyword id="8384137" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kithiganahalli-Lake">Kithiganahalli Lake</keyword>, near Bommasandra suburb in Bengaluru, saying criminal offence is being committed by the authorities in not stopping the discharge of pollutants into the water bodies. A bench headed by <keyword id="146133" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Green-Tribunal">National Green Tribunal</keyword> (NGT) Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the municipal council of Bommasandra for failure to discharge its duties. "Failure of important constitutional obligation by the municipal council as well as apathy and defiance of orders of this tribunal and the Supreme Court by state authorities is at the cost of environment and public health and is very unfortunate for which prompt remedial actions must be taken and accountability of erring officers fixed," the bench said. The NGT said only writing a letter is not compliance of the law and the stand taken by the authorities concerned can hardly be described as a responsible one. Discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies causes a huge damage and the prevention of the same is the duty of the state authorities as the trustees of people's rights, the tribunal said, adding that such duty is being clearly breached. "In view of the above for the damage caused to the environment, the state of Karnataka and Municipal Council, Bommasandra are held liable to pay interim compensation assessed on ad-hoc basis at Rs. 15 lakh. "Karnataka is liable to pay Rs 10 lakh and the Municipal Council, Bommasandra is liable to pay Rs 5 lakh. Final compensation will be determined after hearing the state and the municipal council," the bench said. If necessary, an expert committee will be appointed and it would be open to the state and the municipal council to recover the amount from the erring officers, the tribunal further said. The amount of interim compensation is liable to be deposited with the CPCB within one month and maybe spent for restoration of the environment, the bench said. The green panel was hearing a plea filed by Sanjay Rao and others seeking action against pollution in the Kithiganahalli Lake due to dumping of garbage. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/lg-polymers-india-has-absolute-liability-for-gas-leak-says-ngt/articleshow/76188463.cms">LG Polymers India has absolute liability for gas leak, says NGT</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/ngt-asks-wbpcb-govt-to-file-reports-on-disposal-of-covid-19-biomedical-waste/articleshow/75833387.cms">NGT asks WBPCB, govt to file reports on disposal of COVID-19 biomedical waste</a>

NGT imposes ₹10 lakh fine on Karnataka government over pollution in Kithiganahalli Lake

New Delhi, May 22 () An official posted at the National Green tribunal has been found Corona positive. According to a notification issued by the NGT, the official, posted in General Administration section of the Principal Bench here, had last attended the office on May 19 and is presently hospitalized. "All necessary protocols are being followed. Contact tracing is in progress and high risk contacts shall be asked to self quarantine for 14 days. The NGT (PB) premises shall remain under deep sanitization and with effect from May 23, 2020, no officer/staff/lawyers/litigants/public shall be permitted to have access to the NGT (PB) premises. Further decision shall be taken as per the advice of health authorities on May 25, 2020," a notification issued by the tribunal said. The NGT had earlier issued instructions regarding its functioning stating that the Chairperson, Members and officers (Deputy Registrars and above) will attend the Office with 100 per cent attendance. As for the remaining staff, up to 33 per cent of the strength will physically attend the office as separately notified from time to time, the NGT had said. According to the office order issued by the NGT, the section heads/incharge of all sections shall prepare rosters of staff required to attend office physically by rotation and the staff members not required to present physically at the office. It had said that only online filing (e-filing) of cases will be allowed and no physical filing is permitted. PKS RKS RKS RKS

NGT official tested corona positive

New Delhi, Jun 13 () The National Green Tribunal has slammed the civic authorities in Rajasthan's Bikaner over a report on a sewage treatment plant, saying a plea of budget cannot be taken to justify continued violation of the Water Act and the citizens' right to clean environment. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the officer who has filed the affidavit does not have the requisite knowledge of law and responsibilities of the state pollution control board. "In view of binding judgment of the Supreme Court, the plea of budget cannot be taken to justify continued violation of the Water Act and the citizens' right to clean environment. "In absence of any other source of funds, funds are to be raised from the citizens in the area as directed by the Supreme Court, and for failure concerned erring officers are to be proceeded against," the bench said. The executive officer of the municipal board in Nokha had told the tribunal that the existing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) could not be repaired and operated due to non-availability of sufficient budget. The NGT gave one last opportunity for compliance, failing which the secretary of the departments concerned i.e. local bodies/urban development/local self department and the member secretary of the state PCB will be held personally accountable, by way of coercive measures laid down under sections 25 and 26 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT Act). "Under section 26 of the NGT Act, violation of order of this tribunal is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment up to three years and fine up to Rs 10 crores. Under section 25 of the NGT Act, 2010, the order is executable at the decree of the civil court. "Under section 51 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, there is provision for civil imprisonment or any other order. Any other order can include stopping of salary of the erring officers. The tribunal will accordingly take such coercive measures as found appropriate, if the failure continued," the bench said. The NGT directed the member secretary of the state PCB and the secretary of the department concerned to be present in person by video conferencing with a compliance status on September 21. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Rajasthan resident Bhanwar Lal Bhargava over discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluent on agriculture land in Bikaner's Nokha village. PKS IJT

Budget constraint cannot justify violation of citizens' right to clean environment: NGT

New Delhi, Apr 7 () The National Green Tribunal has directed the Environment Ministry and the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) to resolve the dispute on budgetary support for assessment of status of Natural Conservation Zone. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), being the nodal agency, had all the jurisdictions to take binding decision on the subject instead of prolonging the issue on the ground that the tribunal should decide the issue of inter-departmental coordination. "We do not appreciate the stand of the concerned departments in bringing such issue before the Tribunal, avoiding their duties and responsibility to the detriment of public interest. "We direct the MoEF and NCRPB to resolve the inter-se issue forthwith. The decision taken by the Secretary, MoEF in the matter will bind the NCRPB unless challenged at any appropriate forum," the bench said. That National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) had submitted a proposal wherein it was stated that the whole exercise will take around 12 months and would have an estimated cost of Rs 1.86 crores subject to approval from MoEF. The MoEF told the NGT that proposal was discussed at length and it was decided that since the entire exercise of mapping would facilitate better planning and management of Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ) areas which fall under the jurisdiction of NCRPB, proposal of NRSC may be forwarded to NCRPB for providing budgetary support in completing the whole exercise. MoEF had earlier proposed before the NGT that NRSC may be asked to do land use cover mapping for assessment of status of Natural Conservation Zone. The ministry had told the tribunal that area under NCRPB has gone change over a period of time in all the constituent states as more and more districts have been added to it. The MoEF said that in view of the non-availability of higher resolution data in the year 1999 it is proposed that NRSC may be asked to do land use land cover mapping for the two periods i.e. 1999 and 2019. The NGT had earlier constituted a fresh committee to look into the question whether sub-regional plans for protection of NCZs were consistent with the regional plan prepared by the NCRPB. The green panel had said the committee would comprise representatives of the MoEF, NRSC, Forest Survey of India as also Revenue secretaries and Principal Chief Conservators of Forest of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh Delhi and Rajasthan. The tribunal was hearing a petition filed by the Legal Aid Committee NGT Bar Association against the alarming rate of depletion of NCZs in NCR. It had sought directions to check alleged diversion of the area marked as NCZ by the NCRPB in the regional plan. The plea had alleged that states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan had diverted the NCZ area in violation of the original plan while preparing sub-regional plans and such diversion would adversely affect the environment. PKS SA

NGT directs govt, NCR planning board to resolve dispute on budget for assessment of NCZ

<keyword id="6358777" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword>, <keyword id="2462566" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-National-Green-Tribunal">The National Green Tribunal</keyword> has imposed a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers during Covid-19 pandemic in the national capital region and all cities in the country where the ambient air quality falls under the 'poor' and above category. This came after expiry of the time period from November 9 to December 1 during which the green tribunal had imposed a total ban on the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the NCR and cities with poor ambient air quality amid the double whammy of pollution crisis and rising coronavirus infections. <keyword id="6357743" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ngt">NGT</keyword> chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel further said the direction to restrict use of firecrackers in cities and towns where air quality is 'moderate' or below to green crackers, for duration of not more than two hours and for celebration of any specified festivals or permitted occasions "will continue". "Other than specified festivals, prior permission of the District Magistrate of the area will be required for use of crackers for a limited period which will be given having regard to air quality. During Christmas and New Year, green crackers can be used from 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. only at places where air quality is 'moderate' or below as directed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court," the bench ordered. With a view to ensure availability of the air quality data, the green court directed for at least one air quality monitoring station to be set up at every district headquarter at the earliest. Where no such monitoring station exists, a manual monitoring station must be installed in three months, the court said. The onus to install them has been put on the shoulders of state pollution control boards and the committees. The bench also asked for air quality data to be placed on the website of the district administration and at prominent locations in the towns, in the form of AQI, PM2.5 and PM10. "We further direct that <keyword id="10367573" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-air-quality-monitoring-committees">the Air Quality Monitoring Committees</keyword> (AQMC) to coordinate with the District Magistrates for compliance of the above directions. The District Magistrates in every district may take steps to ensure that banned firecrackers are not sold," the bench also comprising Judicial Member S.K. Singh and Expert Members S.S. Garbyal and Nagin Nanda said. The District Magistrate, on a complaint or otherwise, have been given the task to recover compensation from violators of the directions. Any victim of pollution, apart from other remedies, can approach the District Magistrate for compensation. "The Action Plans may be prepared by a six-member committee comprising of the Directors of Environment, Transport, Industries, Urban Development, Agriculture and Member Secretary, <keyword id="58791" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Pollution-Control-Board">State Pollution Control Board</keyword> or Committee of the concerned State. The Committee may be called Air Quality Monitoring Committee (AQMC)." The AQMC will function under the overall supervision and coordination of the Principal Secretary, Environment of the concerned State and Union Territory. This may be further supervised by the Chief Secretaries concerned or their counterparts in Union Territories by ensuring intra-sectoral coordination. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/burger-king-grey-market-premium-and-heres-what-brokerages-say-about-the-ipo-opening-tomorrow/articleshow/79508730.cms?upcache=2">Burger King India IPO opens today — brokerages recommend ‘subscribe’ on attractive valuations</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-dr-reddys-lab-reliance-power-hero-moto-eicher-motors-tvs-motor-phoenix-mills-coal-india-and-others/articleshow/79521982.cms">Top stocks to watch — Dr Reddy’s Lab, Reliance Power, Hero Moto, Eicher Motors, TVS Motor, Phoenix Mills, Coal India, and others</a>

NGT extends ban on sale, use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR and all cities, towns with 'poor' air quality

New Delhi, Apr 22 () Septage from pit latrines in the national capital is being collected on a daily basis and the ongoing lockdown has not impacted the operation, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has told a panel appointed by the National Green Tribunal to monitor pollution in the Yamuna.The Yamuna monitoring committee, comprising retired NGT expert member Bikram Singh Sajwan and former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra, had sought a report from the DJB on septage collection during the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus."During the lockdown, it was apprehended that septage evacuation may be abandoned altogether and after the lockdown was lifted it may be collected and dumped into the Yamuna, water bodies and forest areas," the panel said.According to the DJB, "Septage collection is unhindered and the quantum being collected is more or less the same."Sharing weekly data with the panel, the DJB said it collected 47.50 lakh liters of septage from March 16 to March 22 (before the lockdown); 49.12 lakh liters from March 23 to March 29 and 55.35 lakh liters from March 30 to April 5. "Since septage collection through licensed vendors is unhindered, there was no need for issuance of curfew passes. Licenses issued by the DJB are being allowed by police authorities," the DJB told the panel.Septage from houses in unauthorised colonies with no sewer connections or where a conveyance system is still to be laid is required to be collected by registered vendors and deposited in designated sewage pumping stations. GVS NSDNSD

No impact of lockdown on sepatage collection: DJB to NGT panel

<ul><li>The National Green Tribunal has banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi NCR from midnight today (November 9) till November 30. </li><li>The bench clarified that the direction would apply to all cities and towns in the country where the average of ambient air quality during November fell under the 'poor' and above categories. </li><li>This came after<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/karnataka-bans-firecrackers-before-diwali-checkout-other-states-that-have-banned/articleshow/79079222.cms"> several other states including Karnataka,</a> Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Sikkim banned crackers already. </li></ul>As Delhi's air quality continues to remain in 'severe' category, the top green court National Green Tribunal has banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi NCR from midnight today (November 9) till November 30. The NCR region includes Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel clarified that the direction would apply to all cities and towns in the country where the average of ambient air quality during November (as per available data of last year) fell under the 'poor' and above categories. "The cities/towns where air quality is 'moderate' or below, only green crackers be sold, and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals like Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the state concerned. "At other places, ban/restrictions are optional for the authorities, but if there are more stringent measures under orders of the authorities, the same will prevail," the bench said. The NGT also directed all states and Union Territories to initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of the potential of aggravation of COVID-19. This came after<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/karnataka-bans-firecrackers-before-diwali-checkout-other-states-that-have-banned/articleshow/79079222.cms"> several other states including Karnataka,</a> Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Sikkim banned crackers already. Delhi's air quality severe, relief unlikely soon The national capital's air quality remained 'severe' for the fifth consecutive day on Monday, with calm wind speed exacerbating the effect of stubble burning. The city's air quality index (AQI) stood at 469 at 9am. Its 24-hour average AQI was 416 on Sunday, 427 on Saturday, 406 on Friday and 450 on Thursday, the highest since November 15 last year, when it was 458.The neighbouring cities of Faridabad (462), Ghaziabad (483), Noida (476), Greater Noida (482), and Gurugram (475) also recorded 'severe' air quality. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". (with inputs from wire services) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/kamala-harris-indian-ancestral-village-celebrates-her-victory-as-she-becomes-vice-president-of-the-united-states/articleshow/79117206.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Kamala Harris' Indian ancestral village celebrates her victory as she becomes Vice President of the United States</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hyperloop-pod-carries-two-humans-through-a-tube-at-over-160-kmph-for-the-first-time-ever/articleshow/79121765.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Hyperloop pod carries two humans through a tube at over 160 kmph for the first time ever</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-cyber-espionage-groups-that-have-india-in-their-crosshairs/slidelist/79120867.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Top cyber espionage groups that have India in their crosshairs</a>

NGT bans firecrackers across India in cities with ‘poor’ air quality or worse

New Delhi, Jul 15 () The National Green Tribunal Wednesday rapped the Haryana administration over unscientific dumping of municipal waste in Palwal district and warned that coercive measures may be taken against those responsible for the lapses and failures. The tribunal said mere proposed steps are not a valid defence to the "criminal" failure of the authorities. It said "there appears to be apathy and lack of realisation of duties in dealing with the matter without a sense of urgency." A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said there is the failure of the local and state authorities in discharging their statutory and constitutional obligation of ensuring clean environment and complying with binding directions of the tribunal. The green panel directed the Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development to ensure compliance of Municipal Solid Management Rules and warned of coercive measures, including direction for prosecution and stoppage of salary, in case of failure. "Mere proposed steps are not a valid defence to the criminal failure of the authorities when stringent punishments are contemplated under the law for such failure as there is continued damage to public health by such failure. "There appears to be apathy and lack of realisation of duties in dealing with the matter without a sense of urgency and allowing damage to the environment and public health. It is disappointing to see such lapses and failures," the bench said. The tribunal said that if there is any constraint of funds, the same can be recovered from the people contributing the waste but waste management has to be promptly ensured. "The authorities are trustees of the people for this management and their incompetence should not result in damage to public health as is happening in the present case. Their accountability has to be fixed.," it said. The tribunal had earlier sought time-bound action plan with regard to scientific disposal of existing waste lying at the site. The NGT was hearing a plea filed by Palwal-based SND Public School against illegal dumping of municipal waste by the municipal council on common land in village Meghpur in the district which is marked for grazing. The plea has sought an immediate stay on dumping of waste and removal of dumped garbage from the common land in order to prevent pollution to the adjacent pond and groundwater. PKS RKS RKS

NGT raps Haryana over unscientific dumping of municipal waste in Palwal

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal has deferred its direction for deposition of Rs 25 crore interim fine by the Oil India Ltd, following the gas well leakage and fire in Assam, till the actual amount and its disbursement plans are worked out. The incident happened in Baghjan in Assam's Tinsukia district. Enormous volume of inflammable natural gas which was leaking from the Baghjan-5 oil well of the company since May 27 caught fire on June 9, claiming lives of two fire-fighters. On June 25, the tribunal had imposed a heavy fine of Rs 25 crore on OIL for causing damage to the environment, human and wildlife and over its failure to stop the oil well fire. An eight-member committee was also constituted to look into the matter. On July 2, the tribunal deferred the direction after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for OIL, assured that the company has itself taken several measures for rehabilitation of the displaced families and deposited a sum of Rs 4.83 crore with the District Magistrate as an interim relief. He submitted that the committee is 'unnecessary' and so is the direction to deposit the amount of Rs 25 crore as the OIL is committed to compensate the victims and restitute the environment. It will pay whatever amount required on its liability being ascertained, he said. A bench of NGT Chairman Adarsh Kumar Goel observed: "In view of this assurance, we defer our direction for deposit of Rs 25 crore till the actual amount and its disbursement plan are worked out in the light of the report of the committee after considering viewpoint of victims as well as the OIL." However, adequacy of steps taken by the OIL will have to be looked into by the committee and then by this tribunal following due process of law, it added. The tribunal said that the OIL is stated to have set apart more than Rs 25 crore and Rohtagi also categorically assured that OIL being a public sector undertaking, there will be no difficulty in promptly making available whatever amount is required for discharge of its liability. Baghjan is one of the 23 oil wells set up by OIL to tap the large gas reserves in the Brahmaputra basin located near the Eco Sensitive Zone of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. The blow-out left behind mixture of chemical compounds that are toxic for land and vegetation. It is not only hazardous to the health of the people but also severely affects their livelihood, mainly agriculture, fishing, and animal rearing. The plea filed by activist Bonani Kakkar had pointed at the failure of the OIL authorities in preventing the blowout, resulting in a massive fire causing irreparable loss to the entire biodiversity of the region and loss of lives and property. "Due to the negligence and lack of concrete effort to control the spread of the oil and gas leak, enormous fire broke-out in the area which continues to rage causing displacement of more than 1600 families," Kakkar said. The matter will now come up for further consideration on July 29, the NGT said. --IANS aka/vd

Assam fire: NGT defers deposit of Rs 25 crore fine by OIL

South Korean company LG Polymers India has absolute liability for the loss of life and public health in the <keyword id="8399920" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gas-leak-incident">gas leak incident</keyword> at its plant in Visakhapatnam, the NGT has said while directing that the interim penalty of Rs 50 crore would be spent on compensation to the victims and the restoration of environment. <keyword id="2462566" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-National-Green-Tribunal">The National Green Tribunal</keyword> directed that a restoration plan be prepared by a Committee comprising two representatives each of <keyword id="3366214" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Environment-Ministry">the Environment Ministry</keyword> and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and three representatives of Andhra Pradesh government. The NGT also junked the company's plea seeking review of its May 8 order slapping on it the Rs 50 crore interim penalty saying that it is justified in taking suo motu cognisance of the matter. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice <keyword id="1015940" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adarsh-Kumar-Goel">Adarsh Kumar Goel</keyword> said that final calculation of compensation may be assessed by a committee comprising representatives of Ministry of Environment Ministry, CPCB and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. "The committee will be at liberty to associate/co-opt any other expert institution or individual. The Secretary, MoEF may ensure constitution of such committee within two weeks... The Committee may give its report within two months thereafter," the bench, also comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, said. It also directed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary to identify and take appropriate action against persons responsible for failure of law in permitting the company to operate without statutory clearances within two months and give a report. "In view of the stand of the state pollution control board and the company that it will not recommence its operation without requisite statutory clearances, we direct that if any such statutory clearances are granted and the Company proposes to recommence, this aspect must be brought to the notice of this tribunal so that compliance of law is ensured," the bench said in its June 1 order uploaded today. The NGT asked MoEF to constitute an Expert Committee to suggest ways and means to revamp monitoring mechanism to check and prevent violation of environmental norms and preventing any such recurrence in future in any of the establishments dealing with hazardous chemicals. "A special drive may be initiated in this regard. An action taken report may be furnished within three months.This order will not prejudice any criminal or other statutory proceedings in accordance with law," the bench said. The NGT said that safety of citizens and environment is of prime concern and any economic or industrial activity, however necessary, has to be consistent with the safety of human beings and the environment. "The damage to human life, human health and environment has to be restored by applying the 'Sustainable Development' principle, of which 'Precautionary' and 'Polluter Pays' principles are part," the bench said. The NGT on May 8 sought response from the Centre and others saying 'there appears to be a failure to comply with the said Rules and other statutory provisions'. It had set up set up a five-member Committee to probe gas leak incident in the chemical factory, in which at leat 11 people were killed and 1,000 exposed. The matter was taken up suo-motu (on its own) by NGT on the basis of media reports to the effect that leakage of hazardous gas, Styrene, took place on May 7 from a chemical factory owned by the South Korean company LG Polymers India Pvt Ltd, R.R. Venkatpuram village, Pendurthy Mandal, <keyword id="36530" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="vishakhapatnam">Vishakhapatnam</keyword> resulting in death of 11 persons. A major early morning chemical leak from a polymer plant near Visakhapatnam impacted villages in a five-km radius, leaving many people dead and scores of citizens suffering from breathlessness and other problems, as the AP government ordered a probe into the issue. The leak was noticed by company staff who were reportedly inspecting machines to restart the factory and raised an alarm. Hours after the styrene gas leak from the multinational L G Polymers Plant at R R Venkatapuram village near here, scores of people could be seen lying unconscious on sidewalks, near ditches and on the road, raising fears of a major industrial disaster. PKS SA

LG Polymers India has absolute liability for gas leak, says NGT

New Delhi, Jul 15 () The National Green Tribunal Wednesday directed a petitioner, seeking closure and cancellation of environmental clearance to Reliance Power's Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project in Madhya Pradesh's Singrauli area, to approach a monitoring committee on the issue. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said a committee comprising representative of Environment Ministry, Central Pollution Control Board, Singrauli District Collector and State Pollution Control Board has already been constituted. "In view of above, it will be appropriate that this matter is heard with the pending matter which will stand transferred to the Principal Bench and now listed on December 2. The applicant is at liberty to represent his viewpoint to the said committee through the state pollution control board," the bench said. The plea filed by advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey sought closure and cancellation of environmental clearance of the power project for deliberately throwing industrial waste in the Rihand reservoir. It referred to an incident of April 10, 2020 in which the ash dyke of the project was breached due to the "negligent act" of the unit. The plea claimed that due to the breach, fly ash spread all over the agricultural land and allegedly resulted in the death of six innocent villagers (including 3 minor children) and cattle was swept away with the ash slurry in the "Rihand Reservoir". Dubey alleged that the breach has led to excessive fluoride concentration in the water, causing tumours and other health hazardous to the residents in the vicinity. District officials had said the sludge has affected crops spread over an area of 25 acre. The plea has sought removal of all industrial waste from the water bodies, villages, drinking wells, agricultural fields and from the reservoir, also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar. It has sought NGT's intervention to formulate requisite guidelines and to secure proper checks and balance with respect to dumping of industrial waste by the industries in the area. In a similar incident on October 6, 2019, ash dyke of NTPC Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station in Singrauli was breached and more than 35 lakh metric tonnes of fly ash got into the Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar ''Rihand Reservoir''. PKS SA

NGT asks petitioner seeking closure of R-Power's Sasan UMPP to approach committee

New Delhi, Apr 28 () The National Green Tribunal Tuesday issued instructions regarding its functioning from May 4, when the Covid-19 lockdown is slated to be relaxed, stating that the Chairperson, Members and officers (Deputy Registrars and above) will attend the Office with 100 per cent attendance.As for the remaining staff, up to 33 per cent of the strength will physically attend the office as separately notified from time to time, the NGT said.According to the office order issued by the NGT, the section heads/incharge of all sections shall prepare rosters of staff required to attend office physically by rotation and the staff members not required topresent physically at the office.However, they shall always remain available on phone and electronic means of communication, and shall attend office physically as and when required, it said."Considering the health and safety of lawyers / public / litigants / staff, till the situation of Corona improves, judicial work will be conducted by the Benches of NGT only by Video Conferencing, without physical presence/appearance of parties or their counsel in the NGT complex," the circular said.It said that only online filing (e-filing) of cases will be allowed and no physical filing is permitted.It further said: "The parties/lawyers may request for listing or adjournment of their cases or make urgent mentioning, by sending an email in advance to "mailto:judicialngt@nic.in"judicialngt@nic.in. All communication with NGT qua listing of cases, filing of documents/reports, filing of written submissions / synopsis / audio of oral submissions (if any) etc. shall be done only through this email ID." The decision has been taken in light of order issued by of the government on the subject of functioning of Government establishments during lockdown period on account of pandemic Covid-19, requiring 100 per cent attendance of the officers of level of Deputy Secretary and above and up to 33 per cent attendance of remaining staff.The office order further said that the lawyers and litigants desirous of participating personally in video conferencing hearings are required to send request at the above email ID in advance, giving their names, case title, case number, date of hearing, e-mail IDs and mobile numbers."For VC hearings, NGT shall be using 'Vidyo' App whereby users can join Vidyo room from their mobilephones/laptops/desktops having adequate internet facility. Vidyo App can be downloaded from link given in website "http://ecourtvc.nic.in/"ecourtvc.nic.in as well as Google Play Store (for android) and Apple Store (for iOS). If request for personal hearing through VC is permitted by the Bench, the time and link with one-time password for VC hearing shall be shared with the parties by the Office," the communication said.Entry to NGT complex shall be restricted only to its staff and all the safety and precautionary guidelines issued by the government shall be scrupulously followed by all concerned, the office order said."Staff shall maintain social distancing norms and protocols, shall wear face masks throughout, shall pass through thermal scanner at entry gate and shall sanitise/wash hands at appropriate intervals. There shall be no crowding at any place / branch in NGT complex and seating of staff shall be arranged accordingly," it said.The office order said, "The NGT complex, including surfaces of furniture and frequently touched objects, shall be sanitised with disinfectants on daily basis. This shall be subject to further modification if and when further instructions are received from the government." PKS SA

Covid-19: NGT issues instructions on its functioning  from May 4

New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal on Thursday imposed a heavy fine of Rs 25 crore on Oil India Ltd for causing damage to the environment, humans and wildlife, over its failure to stop the fire at its oil well in Assam's Baghjan. Enormous volume of inflammable natural gas which was releasing from the Baghjan-5 oil well since May 27 caught fire on June 9, thus claiming lives of two fire-fighters. Baghjan is one of the 23 oil wells set up by OIL to tap the large gas reserves in the Brahmaputra basin and located near the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. A bench comprising Justice S.P. Wangdi and expert member Siddhanta Das pulled up the company and said: "We direct the OIL to deposit an initial amount of Rs 25 Crores with the District Magistrate, Tinsukia District, Assam and abide by further orders of the Tribunal." The tribunal also constituted an eight-member committee headed by former high court judge B.P. Katakey to look into the matter and submit a report in 30 days. The committee has been asked to probe the cause of the gas and oil leak, extent of loss and damage caused to human life, wildlife, environment, damage and health hazards caused to the public and whether any contamination has been caused to water, air and soil of the area of the oil well and its vicinity. The blow-out left behind mixture of chemical compounds that are toxic for land and vegetation. It is not only hazardous to the health of the people but also severely affects their livelihood, mainly agriculture, fishing, and animal rearing. The plea filed by activist Bonani Kakkar pointed fingers at the failure of the OIL authorities in preventing the blowout, resulting in a massive fire causing irreparable loss to the entire biodiversity of the region and loss of lives and property. "Due to the negligence and lack of concrete effort to control the spread of the oil and gas leak, enormous fire broke-out in the area which continues to rage causing displacement of more than 1600 families," Kakkar said. The matter will now come up for further consideration on July 29, the NGT said. --IANS aka/vd

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