Guwahati: Reacting to the Baghjan Gas Leak, the National Green Tribunal on June25 imposed a heavy fine of Rs. 25 crore on Oil India Limited for causing damage to the environment, human and wildlife and over its failure to stop the oil well fire. The tribunal also formed an eight-member committee to look into the matter.
The National Green Tribunal, however, on July 2 delayed its direction for deposition of Rs 25 crore interim fine by the Oil India Ltd, following the gas well leakage and fire in Baghjan, Tinsukia till the actual amount and its disbursement plans are worked out.
The direction was delayed after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for OIL, assured that the company has itself taken several measures for rehabilitation of the displaced families and deposited a sum of Rs 4.83 crore with the District Magistrate as an interim relief.
A bench chaired by NGT chairman Adarsh Kumar Goel observed: “In view of this assurance, we defer our direction for deposit of Rs 25 crore till the actual amount and its disbursement plan are worked out in the light of the report of the committee after considering viewpoint of victims as well as the OIL.”
The tribunal also said that the OIL is stated to have set apart more than Rs 25 crore and Rohtagi also flatly assured that OIL being a public sector undertaking, there will be no difficulty in promptly making available whatever amount is required for discharge of its liability.
The matter will come up for further consideration on July 29, the NGT said.
Image Source: Telegraph India