SC orders exemption of Indian Army of Rs 14414.06 cr dues

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Union Environment and Forest Ministry to file an affidavit to the effect that it was prepared to exempt the Indian army of Rs 14414.06 crore for using 92 Field firing ranges spread over the notified area on 15,66,746.28 hectare of land.

The army has expressed its inability to pay such a heavy cost to impart training as it will seriously hamper the ongoing modernisation process of the army. Army has paid only Rs 20 crore till now. Out of 92 FFRs only 39 are operational.

Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh told the bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, and Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia that Ministry of Environment and Forests was prepared to wave off the cost in the interest of national security and integrity.

The court, however, asked the government to file an affidavit to this effect so that appropraite order granting permission for renotification of FFRs may be passed.

The cost of Compensatory Aforestation (CA) and NPV is required to be paid for ten per cent of the total land and at the rate of Rs one lakh per hectare, the total cost will be around 1,566 crores while at the rate of Rs 9.2 lakh per hectare, the total cost will be Rs 14414.06 crore and army cannot pay such a heavy price.

The army also contended that army while utilising the FFRs do not in any way deforest the available area nor do they cause harm to the existing flora and fauna. The affected area, where the rounds burst is very small, rocky and barren without vegetation which is selected, keeping in view the observation of rounds. Hence, damage to the vegetation due to the explosion of shells/bombs is negligible.

The concept of Compensatory Aforestation is not attracted in such cases. Therefore, there is no reason or logic to saddle the army with the enormous cost of Compensatory Afforestation.

The army has contended that FFRs cannot be used at a long distance from the Army Cantonment areas, as Army Training Programmes have to be carried out in the close vicinity of the cantonment areas.

UNI