Panaji (Goa): The Goa government on Wednesday sought 45 days time with National Green Tribunal (NGT) for conducting fresh appointments of Chairman and Member Secretary on the Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) as per the conditions laid down by the tribunal.

The post of Chairman is been vacant since March 2016 after former chairman Jose Manual Noronha was appointed as chairman of the Goa Public Service Commission. At the same time, the three-year tenure of the existing GSPCB and its MS Levinson Martins ended in June, last year. The Board is currently without full-time MS and Chairman.

When the matter came up for hearing before the Principal Bench- New Delhi, the counsel appearing for the Goa government citied election code of conduct, which is in force due to panchayat election, for failing to undertake the procedure at present.

Counsel informed that code came into force from May 18 and will continue till June 13, the counting day for polls. The elections are scheduled on June 11.

Counsel said that the state government is “more than willing and has all the intentions” to implement the orders of the tribunal but some more time should be given to it.

The matter is posted for hearing further on Thursday.

Coming down heavily on various states for not submitting compliance report on appointment to the posts of chairpersons and member secretaries in their pollution control boards, the NGT had issued show cause notices to the chairman’s asking as why their functioning be not ceased.

The NGT had in August last year issued a countrywide order making special knowledge or practical experience in the environment protection studies for both the posts mandatory. Three months time was granted for making the fresh appointments. However, a further extension of six months was also given, which ended in May.

Team TNV