Search-Cum-Selection Panel Formed To Select NGT Chairperson

A search-cum- selection committee has been constituted for filing up the vacant posts of the chairperson and judicial members and that for the expert members is under finalization.

The information was made public by Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha pertaining to vacant posts in the NGT.

The total sanctioned strength in the National Green Tribunal comprises one chairperson, 10 judicial members, ten expert members and 161 other posts. The number of vacant posts as on December 22 are one chairperson, five judicial members, eight expert members and 81 other posts.

The posts have fallen vacant due to superannuation, resignation, promotion or completion of deputation tenure of the incumbents, the minister said, adding “necessary steps are being taken to fill up the vacancies”.

He also informed that “applications have been invited for filling up the posts of Judicial Members and Expert Members in the NGT vide advertisement issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 1st March, 2017 and subsequent advertisement issued on 29th August, 2017 in compliance with the provisions of the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities (Qualifications, Experience and other Conditions of Service of Members) Rules, 2017, notified by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance on 1st June, 2017”.

“The Search-cum- selection Committee for the vacant posts of the Chairperson and Judicial Members has been constituted and that for the Expert Members is under finalization. To fill up the other vacant posts, efforts are being made by the NGT to fill these posts by promotion or on deputation basis.”

Justice Swatanter Kumar retired from his post as NGT chairperson this month after delivering several important judgements and banning anti-environment activities like garbage dumping, illegal sand mining on river banks and old vehicles.

He was also instrumental in organising international conferences twice with several legal and political luminaries from across the globe coming together.