T N GODAVARMAN THIRUMALPAD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) After hearing the counsel for the parties, in partial modification of our earlier order dated 23/04/2001, we direct as follows:

(2.) After hearing the counsel for the parties and pending the Constitution of a statutory agency under S. 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, we constitute Empowered committee each for the States of Madhya pradesh and Chhatisgarh consisting of representatives of the respective States on the one hand and the representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) on the other. These Committees will consider such of the applications which are pending in this Court or future applications which the respective Advocates General think can be regarded as representations to be decided by the respective Empowered Committees the decisions being in conformity and in accordance with the orders passed by this Court from time to time.

(3.) For the States of Madhya Pradesh and chhatisgarh, the respective Empowered committees will be headed by a person nominated, within one week, by the Secretary, moef, Government of India, in consultation with the amicus curiae and the advocates General of the respective States. The members of the Empowered Committee would be two persons nominated by the chief Ministers of the respective States and two persons nominated by the Secretary, moef. At least one of the nominees of the states as well as of the Union of India shall be non-official and preferably a reputed n. G. O. This nomination should be completed within one week from today.