CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed strong displeasure over Odisha government’s repeated failure to appear and file responses in environmental cases, observing that the state and its instrumentalities were adopting “dilatory tactics” in a substantial number of matters pending before the tribunal.
The East Zone Bench comprising Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh made the observations while hearing a petition alleging illegal brick kiln operations in Balasore district.
Noting that no one appeared on behalf of the respondents including chief secretary, Balasore collector, Basta tehsildar and district mining officer despite service of notice issued on May 26, it said, “State of Odisha and its instrumentalities are adopting dilatory tactics in cases pending before this Tribunal and in substantial number of cases their counsels/officers do not appear before this Tribunal and/or do not file their replies within specified time. We convey our displeasure in this regard.” It posted the matter for further hearing on September 30.