SC appoints Forest Advisory Committee

New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the notification issued by the Union Forest and Environment Ministry appointing a Forest Advisory Committee, overlooking the suggestions made by a central high-powered committee and the amicus curiae.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S H Kapadia directed the secretary of the Ministry to file a fresh affidavit stating the grounds justifying overlooking of the suggestions made by the high powered committee as well as the amicus curiae.

The court strongly disapproved of the attitude of the Central government which did not seem to be prepared to coordinate with other organisations and appeared to be interested in having its own way.

The court also directed the government to withdraw the objectionable paras from the affidavit filed earlier.

UNI AKS/SC SHB AT HS1612