Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum Vs Union of India & Others dated 06/01/2022.

The matter related to construction works in the Amlamethi Hill Resort, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Affidavit by the  District Magistrate, South 24 Parganas, December 31, 2021 stated that remedial action has been directed to be taken to ensure stoppage of all construction works in the Amlamethi Hill Resort and also to ensure that the amount of fine as assessed by the Competent Authority is deposited by the Bali-I, Gram Panchayat, Gosaba, for violation of the CRZ Notification and damaging the environment.

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The NGT, directed the constitution of a committee for the determination of environmental compensation, cost of restitution and remedial measures and penalty.

Ritwick Dutta, Counsel for the Applicant submits that if the entire enterprise of setting up of resort is by a private project proponent, how could the funds of MGNREGA, which are state funds, be utilized for causing financial aggrandizement to a Private Resort Developer. The Counsel has also referred to the document filed as Annexure R-1 which shows that a sum of Rs. 654.099 lakhs has been spent on private resort developers so far.

The NGT, directed the Chief Secretary, West Bengal to enquire into this matter regarding financial gain caused to private developers in addition to violation of CRZ-I and file his affidavit before the next date of listing (February 23, 2022).