"Give NGT a chance to function. Even before the tribunal has taken off, it is premature to write it off...we have to go through procedural formalities.....we have to put in place a system so that the credibility of the NGT is maintained from the very beginning," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha.
He said the government would strive to expand NGT if its initial experience of having five benches in the country showed the desired results.
"Five benches is not enough. As we gain experience we will expand NGT...may be every state will have an NGT (in future)," Ramesh said.
Responding to a question by Moinul Hassan (CPI-M) as to whether the NGT, which replaced the National Environment Appellate Authority, remains non-functional and if there was any alternative platform, the minister said the process of selection and appointment of judicial and expert members of NGT has been initiated.
"A sitting judge had been made selection committee chairman and the first phase of selection has been completed," he said.
To a query about delay in formation of the NGT and pendency of forest related cases, Ramesh said the government functioned according to certain procedures.