NGT rejects Art of Living''s compensation plea

New Delhi, May 31

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed Art of Living (AOL) foundation to pay the remaining Rs 4.75 crore as environment compensation for damages incurred to Yamuna flood plains because of the World Culture Festival held in March.

The tribunal also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's AoL for filing an application that "lacked bonafide" and directed it to pay the remaining sum in one week.

NGT had levied Rs 5 crore environment compensation on the foundation out of which it had deposited Rs 25 lakh before the three-day event kicked off on March 11.

The principal bench of Justice Swatantra Kumar rejected AoL's plea where the foundation argued to pay the remaining amount through a bank guarantee.

Another plea in which AoL asked for reconstitution of the expert committee that had recommended Rs 120 crore environment compensation will come up for the hearing later in the day.

AoL later refused to withdraw plea seeking reconstitution of expert committee to assess impact of constructions for event on Yamuna floodplains. The tribunal will now hear the plea on July 4.

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On March 9, the NGT had refused to stop the World Culture Festival from being held on the banks of the Yamuna, but slapped a fine of Rs 5 crore on the foundation for damaging biodiversity of the ecologically sensitive Yamuna floodplains.

On May 10, the foundation had issued a clarification over a NGT notice to its founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his alleged remarks against the green panel, saying the allegations against the spiritual leader were 'completely false' and based merely on 'newspaper reports'.

The NGT issued a notice to Ravi Shankar for his alleged remarks that the fine imposed by the green panel for organising an event on banks of the Yamuna was politically motivated.

The NGT had asked why should not contempt of court proceedings be initiated against him and has directed Ravi Shankar to file a reply to it latest by May 25. — Agencies