The Supreme Court has taken a strong note of the fact that as many as 237 projects were given environmental clearances bypassing the evaluation process of the Madhya Pradesh State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), a body constituted by the government to deal with environment clearances. The Supreme Court has sought response from the central government.
What is the petition about?
The petition is filed by Madhya Pradesh SEIAA chairman SNS Chohan, who alleged that two IAS officers – SEIAA member secretary Uma Maheshwari (2013 batch) and principal secretary of the environment department Navneet Kothari (2001 batch) – jointly delayed the meetings of the authority to benefit the mining mafias. Chouhan is also a former IAS officer, promoted from state civil services.
It is alleged that during that time many projects were approved without permission, bypassing the mandatory evaluation process of SEIAA.
Taking a strong note the court remarked that if IAS officers are issuing environmental clearance, then what is the relevance of expert and independent body like SEIAA? The court has sought a clear response from the environment ministry on the issue. At the same time, the Supreme Court has sought a response from the Additional Solicitor General of the government in this matter.
What is the case?
There was a long-running dispute between SEIAA chairman SNS Chouhan and Principal Secretary of the Environment Department Navneet Kothari.
As a result, more than 550 applications were left pending. In early May this year, Uma Maheshwari called off the meetings. The chairman alleged that he wrote several letters to the member secretary and the principal secretary Kothari to hold meetings, but they did not respond.
It is also alleged that suddenly Uma Maheshwari went on sick leave giving charge to Shriman Shukla, who issued environment clearances to 237 applications.
Navneet Kothari also approved the environment clearances citing the rule that if meeting is not conducted for 45 days, the recommendation of the project proposer is considered as environment clearance.
The chairman of SEIAA Chouhan objected and said that the principal secretary Kothari was not authorised to do so.
He wrote several letters to the Chief Secretary in this regard, but no action was taken on them. Meanwhile, Kothari was also accused of locking SEIAA chairman's office which was later opened after intervention of the chief secretary.
CM removed officials
When the case took ugly turn, the chief minister Mohan Yadav removed Navneet Kothari from the post of Principal Secretary of the Environment Department and sent him as the Principal Secretary to Governor. At the same time, EPCO executive director and member secretary Uma Maheshwari was also removed.
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