MAPUSA
"What is wrong in the decision to shift the State's environment cases to Delhi? The Supreme Court is also in Delhi," said D'Souza to The Goan, when asked if he was in consonance with the Centre's decision. He said the central ministry had the authority to shift the cases and it must have had some compelling reasons to do so.
"The Centre has the right to shift the bench...I don't know why the decision has been taken but surely the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may have had certain reasons to effect the transfer," he said.
However, the law minister said that every democratic system has adequate measures for checks and balances.
"Our constitution too allows that. The matter is in court. Let us see what the High Court has to say whether the decision is right or wrong," he added.
Centre's sudden decision to shift Goa's environmental cases from Pune bench of the NGT to Delhi bench had caused much heartburn among several green activists in the State, some of whom have moved petitions in High Court against the decision.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the decision of the ministry, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had issued a notice to the government and restrained authorities from moving files pertaining to Goa cases from NGT Pune bench to Delhi bench, till September 5, which is the next date of hearing.
"What is wrong in the decision to shift the State's environment cases to Delhi? The Supreme Court is also in Delhi," said D'Souza to The Goan, when asked if he was in consonance with the Centre's decision. He said the central ministry had the authority to shift the cases and it must have had some compelling reasons to do so.
"The Centre has the right to shift the bench...I don't know why the decision has been taken but surely the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may have had certain reasons to effect the transfer," he said.
However, the law minister said that every democratic system has adequate measures for checks and balances.
"Our constitution too allows that. The matter is in court. Let us see what the High Court has to say whether the decision is right or wrong," he added.
Centre's sudden decision to shift Goa's environmental cases from Pune bench of the NGT to Delhi bench had caused much heartburn among several green activists in the State, some of whom have moved petitions in High Court against the decision.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the decision of the ministry, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had issued a notice to the government and restrained authorities from moving files pertaining to Goa cases from NGT Pune bench to Delhi bench, till September 5, which is the next date of hearing.
