PANJIM: The State government, stating that there is no space for a circuit bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the Old District Court building or in ‘Spaces’ building in Panjim, urged the High Court of Bombay at Goa to withdraw the interim stay on the notification of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) shifting of Goa cases from the Pune Bench to Delhi Principal Bench of the NGT.
On behalf of the State, Department of Environment and Forest filed an affidavit in the High Court as directed by the court on September 12, 2017.
The Court had asked the State to file an affidavit so as to clear the government’s stand and also on the suggestion of the lawyers and litigants that a circuit bench of the NGT can be setup in any of the vacant buildings.
The government has informed the court that in the old district court building two courtrooms are vacant but are under renovation in order to accommodate the existing courtroom from Velho Filhos building and to establish a one more District courtroom. It also submitted that there is no vacant place at the Spaces building in Patto.
“Therefore, I pray that this Hon’ble Court takes note of the cogent and justifiable reasons for the notification of 11th August 2017 which is in the larger public interest, and accordingly, withdraws the interim stay on the operation of the aforesaid notification imposed by this Hon’ble Court by its order dated 21st August 2017,” the affidavit from the State says.
Along with space issue, the State has also submitted logistical, other issues of travelling to Pune etc in its affidavit. The HC will hear the case on September 25 and likely to pass an order in the matter.
