NGT slams Bengaluru authorities for violating directives on rejuvenating polluted lakes, says it can initiate prosecution against erring officials

Bengaluru: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday warned that it can initiate prosecution against erring officials responsible for violating tribunal direction in matters relating to the highly polluted Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes in the city. [caption id=“attachment_3396408” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Bellandur Lake. News18[/caption] The warning by the NGT’s Principal Bench came after observing that despite its directions in the order dated 6 December 2018, for the execution of the rejuvenation plan of lakes by 30 June 2019, the Karnataka state instrumentalities did nothing. The tribunal was informed that the status of compliance was 66 percent. Around 14 Sewage Treatment Plants were to be constructed to protect and rejuvenate lakes. In the last hearing, the NGT had asked the Karnataka government to file compliance reports related to various directions issued in the matter. Subsequently, the Karnataka government filed multiple reports. The NGT today also asked the state government to compile multiple reports, prepare a chart and file a consolidated report. In order to collate the status of compliance of each direction as mentioned in various affidavits, the tribunal posted the matter for hearing to 11 December. Namma Bengaluru Foundation advocate Saransh Jain said that NGT must take strict action against erring officials for not following the tribunal’s direction. The NGT had constituted a committee headed by former Lokayukta judge Justice Santosh Hegde to oversee the implementation of the directions related to lake rejuvenation.