“We wanted to create awareness about Yamuna through this event”, he added.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was earlier expected to skip the event citing security concerns, has confirmed his participation. Find us on Facebook too!
Nevertheless, it imposed a fine of Rs five crores on AOL as environmental compensation after coming down heavily on the foundation for not disclosing its full plans and also on the DDA and Environment Ministry for their role. Dutta said the Foundation could either challenge the NGT order before the Supreme Court, or pay a fine for now without prejudice to its right to challenge the order.
The four-member green bench said AoL could be asked to pay for setting up a biodiversity park in the area.
The order said that information provided by the AoL was “incomplete, vague and uncertain” since it did not provide any comprehensive plan about huge construction, approach roads, parking and a huge stage which 1000 feet in length and 200 feet in breadth.
The tribunal also took an exception to Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shakar’s statement that he would rather go to jail rather than pay Rs. 5 crore. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also slapped a Rs 5 crore interim fine on the organisers, accused of cutting trees and causing damage to agricultural land.
“We have not done anything wrong.we will go to jail but not pay a penny”, he told NDTV.
In its application, the foundation said that it is a “charitable organisation and it is difficult” for it to generate Rs. 5 crore in a short period. “If there is any breach of any condition, the matter will be taken up as and when required and law will take its own course”, the Green Court held, fixing the hearing of the matter at 4 PM on Friday. Delhi welcomes all guests, he said.
Meanwhile, the tribunal pulled up the Ministry of Water Resources for not doing anything to protect Yamuna from pollution despite several directions.
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The World Culture Festival, a global event being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Delhi from March 11-13, will bring together people from different cultures, nations, and faiths.
