NEW DELHI, May 9 - The Supreme Court on Thursday considered the application seeking directions to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to expeditiously decide on the objections on the constitution of the Expert Committee in the Lower Subansiri dam case.
The application was filed by Tularam Gogoi and Abhijit Sarma, president of Assam Public Works (APWs). The Supreme Court had directed the Tribunal to decide on the issue after hearing both sides and not delay it further, Gogoi told newsmen,
The Apex Court has also observed that the report of the Committee is merely recommendatory in nature.
It has also observed that in the meanwhile, if any orders are passed by the Ministry in furtherance of the report, the rights of the applicants are kept open to challenge the same in accordance with law, Gogoi informed.
The applicant had challenged the constitution of the committee, as two members had already given their opinion on the project and thus their inclusion in a new committee would compromise the independence of the committee.
The Court, while hearing the arguments raised by Sanjay Upadhyay counsel for the applicant, took cognisance of the issues regarding seismicity, dam height, biodiversity impact assessment, PGA value and survival of the Idu Mishimi tribe and directed the EAC to take into consideration these aspects. The Court also gave liberty to the applicant to approach the appropriate authorities.
