Why in News
NGT has issued notices to officials in Punjab and Delhi over the deteriorating air quality in the NCR and neighbouring States.
Notices were issued to various officials, including the Punjab Chief Secretary over a rise in farm fires in the State, and to the Delhi Chief Secretary over violations of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), under which stricter measures are taken to reduce air pollution during winter.
National Green Tribunal(NGT)
NGT is a specialized body in India that handles cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
Estd on 18 October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
The NGT has five places of sitting:
New Delhi (Principal Place of Sitting)
Bhopal
Pune
Kolkata
Chennai
Composition
Chairperson - retired Judge of the Supreme Court a High Court.
The Tribunal also has Judicial Members and Expert Members.
Powers of the NGT
To hear and dispose of applications regarding substantial questions relating to environment To Award compensation and damages to the affected persons.
To direct restitution of property damaged due to environmental pollution or degradation.
To issue directions to any person, officer or authority to take steps to prevent, control or abate environmental pollution.
To lay down or modify environmental standards.
To undertake or order any study or inquiry into the environmental impact of any project or activity.
NGT’s jurisdiction
The implementation of the following laws
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
The Air(Prevention and Control of Pollution 1981
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
Procedure for filing a case before the NGT
A case can be filed before the NGT by filing an application in the prescribed form.
The application must be accompanied by a fee of Rs. 1000/-.
The application can be filed in person or by post.
The NGT is not bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
Tribunal is guided by the principles of natural justice.
The NGT has the power to regulate its own procedure.
The NGT can grant the following remedies,
Compensation
Damages
Restitution of property
Injunction
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
GRAP is a set of emergency measures that are implemented in Delhi-NCR to prevent deterioration of air quality.
The plan was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and is implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
The AQI has 6 categories
Good (0-50)
Satisfactory (51-100)
Moderate (101-200)
Poor (201-300)
Very Poor (301-400) and Severe (401-500).
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