<p>Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday alleged that the Narendra Modi government has "emasculated" the National Green Tribunal to such an extent that it will be a "crucial test" to see whether a retired Supreme Court judge will agree to be its chairperson.</p>.<p>The former environment minister said the NGT was set up in October 2010 by an Act of Parliament, making India one of the very few countries to have such a specialised institution to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.</p>.<p>"Since 2014 the Modi Govt has spared no effort to weaken the NGT and dilute its effectiveness," Ramesh alleged.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/rahul-gandhis-lok-sabha-disqualification-congress-to-hold-maun-satyagraha-in-state-capitals-1235414.html" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha disqualification: Congress to hold 'maun satyagraha' in state capitals</a></strong></p>.<p>"Now it faces a crucial test. With the retirement of its Chairperson this Thursday, who was as per law a retired judge of the Supreme Court, serious doubts have arisen as to whether such a jurist who has served on the apex court will agree to be the Chairperson given the way it has been emasculated," the Congress general secretary said.</p>.<p>"We can only hope that the original spirit of the NGT Act is preserved although its letter has been amended to make the position of the Chairperson less attractive to a retired Supreme Court judge," Ramesh said.</p>.<p>The Centre had on Thursday authorised Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal, to be its acting chairperson following the retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.</p>.<p>The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in a notification said Justice Singh would act as the chairperson until an appointment is made to the post.</p>
<p>Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday alleged that the Narendra Modi government has "emasculated" the National Green Tribunal to such an extent that it will be a "crucial test" to see whether a retired Supreme Court judge will agree to be its chairperson.</p>.<p>The former environment minister said the NGT was set up in October 2010 by an Act of Parliament, making India one of the very few countries to have such a specialised institution to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.</p>.<p>"Since 2014 the Modi Govt has spared no effort to weaken the NGT and dilute its effectiveness," Ramesh alleged.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/rahul-gandhis-lok-sabha-disqualification-congress-to-hold-maun-satyagraha-in-state-capitals-1235414.html" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha disqualification: Congress to hold 'maun satyagraha' in state capitals</a></strong></p>.<p>"Now it faces a crucial test. With the retirement of its Chairperson this Thursday, who was as per law a retired judge of the Supreme Court, serious doubts have arisen as to whether such a jurist who has served on the apex court will agree to be the Chairperson given the way it has been emasculated," the Congress general secretary said.</p>.<p>"We can only hope that the original spirit of the NGT Act is preserved although its letter has been amended to make the position of the Chairperson less attractive to a retired Supreme Court judge," Ramesh said.</p>.<p>The Centre had on Thursday authorised Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal, to be its acting chairperson following the retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.</p>.<p>The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in a notification said Justice Singh would act as the chairperson until an appointment is made to the post.</p>