Andhra Pradesh: NGT hears petition against RLIS works, directs govt. to file affidavit

An inquiry has been held in the NGT on the contempt PIL filed on the Rayalaseema lift irrigation Scheme. Gavinolla Srinivas has filed a contempt of court petition alleging that there is a violation of NGT orders issued to stop the construction works. The state government told NGT that the project was not being carried out in this order and made it clear that only ready-made works and studies were being done. NGT directed the Andhra Pradesh government to file an affidavit with details that the works were not going on. Asked whether the tribunal's orders had been challenged in the Supreme Court, the state government's lawyer told NGT that they would go ahead with the rules as a responsible government that they had not challenged. The NGT adjourned the case till January 18.

Gavinolla Srinivas of Telangana has filed a contempt of court petition alleging that the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was carried out without environmental permits and that the AP government was violating orders issued by the NGT in the past. On this, the National Green Tribunal questioned the AP government on the work related to the project.

On the other hand, a contempt of court petition filed by a man named Tummalapalli Srinivas alleging that the Kaleswaram project was being expanded was heard in the NGT. The petition alleges that the NGT had earlier directed the Telangana government not to undertake the expansion work of the project without environmental clearances. Responding to this, NGT directed the petitioner to lodge a complaint with the Department of Water Resources if Kaleswaram expansion work is being done. If the water authorities do not take action on this, it asked to move Supreme Court. NGT clarified that the directions to be given in relation to this case have already been given.