Gauhati High Court slams penalty on Assam Forest Department

The PIL was jointly filed by advocate Mrinmoy Khataniar and mountaineer Amar Jyoti Deka, HC Bench comprising Chief Justice (Acting) N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Manish Choudhury imposed the cost on the respondent for not adhering to the court's earlier instructions.

As per sources, the matter will be listed after Durga Puja vacation and will be heard again in November consideration of stay of the environmental clearance granted to seven hydrocarbon projects in eco-sensitive Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.

The Gauhati HC had asked all the respondents to file their responses on August 17.

Earlier this month, the Gauhati High court had issued notices to 14 authorities including the Central Government, State Government, the pollution control board, forest department, and Oil India regarding clearance given for the seven hydrocarbon projects of OIL without a public hearing. They have been given two weeks' time to respond regarding the impugned EIA notification of January 16 which violates the mandate of the public hearing, as well as the Environmental Clearance of May 11 given to the seven hydrocarbon projects of OIL.

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