Don't surrender the amount allotted for Yamuna: NGT to DJB

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal today directed Delhi Jal Board (DJB) not to surrender the amount allocated to it in the last fiscal for rejuvenation of Yamuna to the Delhi government.

The green panel also made it clear that DJB would spend these funds for restoration during the year and the implementation of its 'Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project'.

"In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, we direct that the amounts would not be surrendered and the same would remain attached...For secure execution and compliance of the main judgement dated January 13, 2015 which is entirely based on the proposal submitted by the DJB itself and accepted by the Principal Committee constituted under the Judgement," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The tribunal passed the direction after the counsel appearing for the DJB expressed apprehension that since the new fiscal year has started, the amount available with it will have to be surrendered.

The counsel said that in such a scenario the Board would be devoid of funds while contractors have to be paid for the work they have already done.

"Counsel appearing for the DJB has expressed an apprehension that because of March 31, 2016, the amount available with DJB would have to be surrendered while works have been executed and the contractors are to be paid," the bench noted.

NGT had earlier slammed DJB for spending money on Yamuna without its permission and directed it not to spend a "single penny" on rejuvenation of the river without its approval.

The green panel had took exception to the fact that despite its specific directions, which restrained DJB from spending without NGT's prior approval, the board had incurred expenses on drain integration work.

NGT had earlier constituted a committee and asked it to submit report on the actual discharge from each drain that joins Yamuna and the measure load on points where Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are sought to be constructed under Phase-I of the project (Najafgarh drain to Delhi Gate drain).

The panel comprised member secretary of Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee, chief engineer of DJB and Delhi Development Authority and professor R Kosa from IIT-Delhi.