Summary
After the Central Government made the Central Empowered Committee a permanent environmental body, the Court directed it to publish procedures for meetings, site visits, reports and public participation. The Court also set out institutional standards for environmental authorities and emphasized continuing constitutional-court oversight of their functioning.
Issues
- What measures were required to institutionalize the Central Empowered Committee and strengthen accountability and transparency in environmental governance.
Held
- The 5 September 2023 notification institutionalized the Central Empowered Committee by setting out its composition, powers, functions, appointments and monitoring arrangements. (¶ 17-20)
- The CEC must publish accessible guidelines for internal procedures, public meetings and advance agendas, minutes and notice to parties, site visits and participation by affected persons, and timelines and preparation of reports. (¶ 21)
- Environmental bodies should have clear composition, expertise, tenure, funding, mandates, coordination, public procedures, accountability and regular audits. Constitutional courts retain a role in monitoring that these bodies function effectively. (¶ 22-32)
Result
Directions were issued for the CEC to publish operating guidelines and for environmental institutions to meet the stated standards of accountability and effective functioning.