A Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought response of the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government and others on a plea seeking compensation for people affected by the recent oil spill off the coast of Tamil Nadu and seizure of the vessels involved in a collision. The Bench yesterday asked the respondents to appear before it today and submit their response.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatantar Kumar issued notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Central and State pollution control boards, the Ministry of Shipping and the Tamil Nadu government through its chief secretary. The petitioners seek seizure of both the offending merchant vessels until their owners paid adequate compensation for the damage to the environment caused by them.
On 28th of last month, MV Maple Galaxy, carrying LPG, and MT Dawn Kanchipuram, carrying petroleum oil lubricants, collided near the Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu.