How Will the Country Progress if Every Project Is Opposed: Supreme Court

 

The Supreme Court reprimanded a non-governmental organization (NGO) for opposing a renewable energy project by THDC India Ltd. at Maharashtra’s Jayakwadi Dam. The court emphasized that this dam area has already been declared a protected sanctuary and classified as an eco-sensitive zone.

The apex court questioned, “How will the nation progress if every project is met with opposition?”

Court’s Key Observations:

• The bench questioned the intent of the NGO ‘Kahar Samaj Panch Samiti’, asking:
  • “Who sent you here?”
  • “Who is funding you?”
• The Court demanded a track record of past environmental contributions from the NGO.
• The Court upheld the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ruling dated 9 September 2024, which had approved the project.
• The Supreme Court rejected the NGO’s appeal, refusing to interfere with NGT’s decision.

Allegations and Court’s Remark:

• The NGO’s lawyer argued that the project lies in an eco-sensitive zone and would harm biodiversity.
• The court responded:
  “It appears that the very NGO funding the case is doing so because the project tender was not awarded to them. They are now attempting to halt the project by levelling baseless allegations.”