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Art of Living case: DDA questions NGT panel, gets court rap

The expert panel had suggested that the Rs 42 crore, required to undo the damage to Yamuna floodplains, should be divided between the Art of Living Foundation and government agencies

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Garbage at World Culture Festival Site
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The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Thursday questioned the recommendations of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)-constituted expert panel in connection with NGO Art of Living Foundation's World Culture Festival. The three-day event was hosted on the Yamuna floodplains, which were reportedly completely destroyed ecologically.

The expert panel had suggested that the Rs 42 crore, required to undo the damage to Yamuna floodplains, should be divided between the Art of Living Foundation and government agencies.

DDA, however, contended that it had granted a "conditional" permission for the festival, which included indemnity for them, and after being assured that there would be no violations. At the same time, arguing against some of the panel's recommendations, the NGT pulled up DDA for casting aspersions on the expert committee.

Following detailed arguments on Tuesday, a four-member NGT Bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar said the matter would be heard on Friday. During the last hearing, the NGT had sought a response from the government authorities regarding Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's statement that the Centre, Delhi government, and NGT should pay for the environmental damage caused by the festival.

Meanwhile, arguing that DDA was not responsible for any damage to the floodplains, its senior counsel Rajiv Bansal said the panel did not look at the details of the permission that was granted. "The final report has not looked at what was the basis of DDA's permission. The expert panel had engaged an engineer to ascertain a few aspects of the damage. But, what is the credibility of this engineer? How is it that whatever he said has been taken as gospel truth?" Bansal asked.

He further told the Bench: "DDA is not responsible in any way. If there is any liability, the lordships should ensure that I am indemnified."

The Bench, though, stated: "DDA should have exercised proper caution. If they granted permission, they should have fulfilled proper responsibilities."

During the hearing, the NGT Bench also pulled up DDA's counsel for casting aspersions on committee members. It stated: "It is not fair. You cannot make sweeping comments on people who have devoted their life to environment. We are warning you people that if anybody passes strictures, we will not hesitate to take action against them."

"These (expert members) are respected people who have put in 40-50 years of their lives in this. You are casting aspersions. What are they going to get? DDA and MoEF have not even paid for their taxi fares," the Bench added.

WASHING HANDS OFF

  • Delhi Development Authority questions NGT panel recommendations on Sri Sri’s World Culture Festival
     
  • DDA claims NGT not taking the basis of them allowing the event to take place into account
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