Green Tribunal asks state panel to visit OPG’s proposed plant site

Both lawyers of the Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan (MASS) and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had approached the tribunal. MASS is a local fisherman’s union leading protests fearing the plant would harm the environment and their livelihood.

“The tribunal had said OPG could start building the plant without getting all the clearances. We have asked for penalty provision under the NGT act (under which a party that disobeys the tribunal can be fined Rs 10 crore and awarded up to three years in jail),” said Ritwick Dutta,one of the lawyers representing MASS.

Opposing parties had interpreted the NGT’s February 8 order in different ways. While MASS said it prohibited OPG from starting constructions without getting all clearances,the company had issued press statements saying that interpretation was planted in the media by “vested interests”.

At Friday’s hearing,the tribunal noted,“After hearing the applicants and the MoEF,we find allegations are very grave in nature and require to be looked into.”

The next hearing is expected on March 30.