Ridge report: NGT pulls up official for delay

NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal has reprimanded an official for delay in submitting information regarding encroachment in the Southern Ridge area. A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore took exception to the submission delay by New Delhi district magistrate, who asked for more time.
NGT noted that according to its June 26 order, affidavits have been filed by district magistrates of South and South East about the total areas to be demarcated and illegal construction identified.It is difficult to understand why New Delhi DM could not file an affidavit whereas the other two DMs have done so, the NGT order said on Wednesday.
“It is due to such...manner in which the officers are perusing the matter that demarcation and fencing of South East Delhi ridge could not be done so far, whereas...present proceedings are continuing since 2013-14. The usual excuse is being made by the officer, even today, that she has recently joined,” the bench said.
The green court has granted one week to the district magistrate to file the affidavit.