Green tribunal pulls up Mantri as its MD fails to appear before it

The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday pulled up real estate developer Mantri Techzone over the failure of its managing director to appear before it.

The green bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim took serious note of the matter after a counsel for the developer informed it that the top executive was not present as the previous order directing for his personal presence on March 20 was not uploaded on the website.

The bench told advocate Mahesh Giri that he was himself present when the order for his presence was dictated in open court on March 14. The bench also asked whether the cost of Rs 5 lakh imposed on it was deposited with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

The green bench directed the counsel that the managing director of the company be present before it on April 5, along with the proof of depositing the cost.

The cost was imposed after the developer fialed to file a compliance report with regard to the NGT order on maintaining a buffer zone around Agara and Bellandur lakes in Bengaluru.

The compliance report was, however, filed on Tuesday.

On May 4, 2016, the NGT's principal bench had directed the earmarking of a buffer zone and green belt of 75 metres around lakes, 50 metres for primary, 35 metres for secondary and 25 metres for teritiary rajakaluves (stormwater drains).