NGT directed Punjab government to disclose how it will achieve its target to cut stubble-burning incidents

Posted 11 Apr 2024

2 min read

About National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- Genesis: Established as a statutory body under the NGT Act, 2010.
- Composition
  - Headed by: Chairperson
  - Members: 10-20 judicial as well as expert members (each).
- Qualification
  - Supreme Court Judge or High Court (HC) Chief Justice can serve as both Chairperson and judicial member.
- HC judge can only serve as judicial member.
- Mandate
  - A specialised judicial body equipped with expertise solely to adjudicate environmental cases in the country (refer to the infographics).
  - Disposal of applications or appeals within 6 months of filing of the same.
- Guiding Principle
  - Guided by principles of natural justice and not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
  - While passing any order/decision/ award, it shall apply the principles of
    - sustainable development,
    - precautionary principle and
    - polluter pays principle.
- Power
  - Power of the civil court.
  - power to take suo motu cognisance.
  - Power to grant relief in the form of compensation and damages to affected persons.
- Appeal
  - Its orders are binding but not final (it can review its judgements or an appeal could be made in SC within ninety days.).
- Benches: NGT has a presence in five zones- North (Principal Bench, headquartered in Delhi), Central, East, South and West.