On Saturday May 31st the North Goa MP and Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik hosted a thanks giving dinner at a Panaji starred hotel for his BJP Ministers, MLA’s and party office bearers.
A staff of this hotel informs me that at the sumptuous dinner Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was heard assuring and reassuring BJP leader Anil Hoble about his firm resolve to get rid of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Anil Hoble has been issued a notice by the NGT on account of his controversial Bar & Restaurant allegedly built in CRZ violation on the Ribandar – Panaji causeway. Anil Hoble by flexing his political muscles had managed a clean chit from the Goa CRZ authorities but social activist Kashinath Shetye and others have now rightly taken up the matter with the NGT. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s very intent to wind up the NGT is ridiculous and outrageous. A gross abuse of power. It is a direct interference in the administration of justice. When you cannot get your own appointee or palatable orders would such cunning strategy of abolishing the tribunal itself be the new methodology of this regime which had promised good and transparent governance. The National Green Tribunal was established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property. New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of this National Green Tribunal while Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four places of sitting of the Tribunal. Cases pertaining to Goa are heard by the Pune Bench headed by Retired Bombay High Court Justice V.R. Kingaonkar. In his wildest dream Manohar Parrikar will never be able to wind up the NGT. So he may now go all out to get rid of the current bench at Pune. So if Justice Kingaonkar is transferred or eased out, we know who the culprit is. If a bench is established in Goa, less said the better. Shame on you, Mr. CM for paying scant respect to judicial institutions and for your uncalled interference in their working. This is surely not the first time that Manohar Parrikar has considered the judiciary a thorn in his flesh. The very concept of judicial independence requires that the judiciary be kept away from the other branches of government. Courts at all levels should not be subject to any improper influence from the other branches of government or from private and partisan interests. Judicial Independence is vital and crucial to the enshrined concept of separation of powers. May better sense prevail in Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
