NGT Appoints Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I as Acting Chairperson Following Retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel
In a significant development, the Union government has appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I, a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), as the acting chairperson of the tribunal. This decision comes in the wake of the retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, who had been serving as the NGT chairperson since July 2018.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification on Thursday, authorizing Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I to assume the responsibilities of the chairperson until a new chairperson is appointed. Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I, who joined the NGT as a judicial member in 2020, previously served as a judicial member at the Central Zone Bench in Bhopal.
This appointment further reinforces the commitment of the NGT and the government to ensure the seamless functioning and effective disposal of environmental cases.
In recent years, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has emerged as a crucial institution for environmental protection and conservation in our country. With a focus on expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental norms, forest conservation, natural resources, and compensation for pollution victims, the NGT has been making significant strides in ensuring sustainable development and upholding the principles of environmental justice.
One of the key factors contributing to the NGT’s success is its ability to evolve its own procedures, unbound by the Civil Procedure Code and the rule of evidence under the Evidence Act. This flexibility allows the NGT to adapt its processes to the unique nature of environmental cases and swiftly address violations. Furthermore, the NGT’s orders hold the weight of a civil court decree, making non-compliance a punishable offense.
In the past five years alone, the NGT received an overwhelming 15,132 new cases, indicating the scale of environmental concerns. However, the tribunal managed to dispose of an impressive 16,042 cases within the same period. This significant accomplishment was highlighted by the Law Minister in a recent parliamentary session, noting that the NGT has decided a greater number of cases than institutions in its domain.
To achieve such efficient case disposal, the NGT has implemented several administrative and procedural initiatives. Notably, the use of video conferencing has played a crucial role in expediting hearings, especially when benches remained unmanned due to the selection and appointment process of members. By harnessing technology, the NGT ensured uninterrupted proceedings and maintained its commitment to timely justice even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the combined efforts of the NGT’s administrative initiatives, technology adoption, and the leadership of Justice Sheo Kumar Singh-I, the tribunal is poised to further strengthen its impact on environmental governance. This appointment underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the momentum of environmental justice and underscores the significance of the NGT in safeguarding our natural heritage.
