The Supreme Court slammed Centre over diversion of Rs 1 lakh crore funds meant for protecting the environment and benefit of the people.
Finding fault with the Union Government, A Bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta observed it has trusted the executive and ended up getting befooled. The Apex Court said: 'Huge amount of money strictly meant for environment protection was diverted for laying roads, modernization of bus stands and Labs in Colleges. We are befooled by the executive. Are we cops or investigation officers to catch who diverted the money and betrayed the trust? It's very frustrating,' said the Top Court.
There are around Rs 11,700 crore in the Compensatory Afforestation Funds Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) created by Supreme Court. Total amount collected through such funds created by the Apex Court would be around Rs 1 lakh crore. SC Justices questioned, 'What are we supposed to do if these funds meant for one purpose are being diverted?'.
Finding fault with the Union Government, A Bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta observed it has trusted the executive and ended up getting befooled. The Apex Court said: 'Huge amount of money strictly meant for environment protection was diverted for laying roads, modernization of bus stands and Labs in Colleges. We are befooled by the executive. Are we cops or investigation officers to catch who diverted the money and betrayed the trust? It's very frustrating,' said the Top Court.
There are around Rs 11,700 crore in the Compensatory Afforestation Funds Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) created by Supreme Court. Total amount collected through such funds created by the Apex Court would be around Rs 1 lakh crore. SC Justices questioned, 'What are we supposed to do if these funds meant for one purpose are being diverted?'.