NGT forms three high-power panels to Check non-submission of Reports by OIL

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: Delivering the much-awaited judgement on the infamous Baghjan oil blowout, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted three high power committees to look into lapses on the safety protocol of the OIL, compliance of Environmental Clearance (EC) and on restoration plan. It has also taken serious note on the non-submission of reports by the Oil India Limited (OIL) and other agencies.

The Principal Bench of NGT headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Dr Nagin Nanda (as expert member) delivered the judgement on the petitions filed by Bonani Kakkar and others against OIL on February 15, 2021. The order was uploaded on its website on Friday.

The Tribunal constituted a six-member committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, to look into the lapses of OIL on safety protocol asking the Committee to submit its report within three months; a seven-member joint committee with MoEF&CC as the nodal agency to act on the matters relating to the compliance of the Environmental Clearance (EC) stating that the report must be submitted within three months; and also a 10-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary Assam to assess the damage caused to the environment and to also suggest the remedial restoration plan including the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and the Maguri-Motapung Wetland.

As far as compensation to the victims of Baghjan blowout families is concerned, the Tribunal maintained, "In view of the substantial number of victims having been compensated up to a reasonable level, the issue will have to be taken as concluded as far as the present proceedings are concerned.

"This Tribunal cannot enter into further adjudication in the absence of the victims and authentic data. While floor level compensation can be directed to be paid even on some guesswork, higher compensation claims require adjudication, based on evidence of loss."

The NGT further stated in the order. "As already observed, in the absence of relevant data, we are unable to determine the claims for higher compensation, beyond the amounts already paid or conceded by the OIL."

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