RS okays Green Tribunal Bill

Anybody can approach the Tribunal- a NGO,individual,journalist,state pollution board or a social action group. We are not choking access to the National Green Tribunal. We have opened up doors,Ramesh said. He also said that as no limit had been fixed for the compensation that can be awarded to a victim by the Tribunal,there would be pressure on habitual polluters to abide by the norms.

However,several MPs differed. CPIs Saman Pathak alleged that the Tribunal would become a tool in the hands of corporate houses.

BJPs Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Bal Apte demanded more clarity on the substantial claim provision. Ramesh replied that there were 15 grounds to award compensation to the affected and the Tribunal was free to award any amount in damages. It can fine of an individual Rs 10 crore and a company 25 crore for not complying with its orders,he said,adding that appeals against the judgment of the tribunal will be allowed before the Supreme Court. He rejected views that the Tribunal would protect polluters in anyway.

When Rudy pointed out that the Bill failed to cover the Wild Life Protection Act,Ramesh said the provisions of the Act attracted criminal proceedings while the Tribunal was meant to look at civil issues only.

Some members expressed concern that the word Green in the title of the Bill implied non-seriousness. But Ramesh said the word was chosen as several people equate the word and the colour with environmental issues. However,he was open to revisiting it,the minister said.