NGT restrains till Dec 20 selection process for CPCB Chairman

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal Tuesday restrained the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) till December 20 from going ahead with the selection process for appointment of its Chairman in the wake of the allegation that persons being considered for the post do not satisfy the eligibility criteria.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) seeking its response within a week on the plea by one Sanjay Singh. "Notice to sole respondent (MoEF). Reply within one week. List on December 20. Proceedings before the selection committee be deferred till then," the bench said and directed the ministry to produce all records pertaining to the selection process. The tribunal asked the petitioner how it can be said that the persons invited do not meet the eligibility criteria and made it clear that in the event it is found that the persons called for interview did have the requisite qualifications and experience, costs will be imposed upon him. Advocate Naveen Sharma, appearing for Singh, contended that the persons being invited for interviews, as part of the process to select and appoint the Chairman of the CPCB, do not have the requisite qualifications or the experience. During the brief proceedings, Sharma said that the person who will be appointed as Chairman of the Board will be entrusted with the "crucial responsibility" of pollution control and someone not having experience in that line of work or not having the necessary qualifications should not be appointed to the post.