Representational Image. DH file Photo.
The National Green Tribunal on Friday rejected Karnataka's plea that all petitions opposing the Yettinahole project near Sakleshpur in Hassan district be heard by a single bench.
At present, three different benches in the tribunal are hearing three separate petitions on the project.
When the petition filed by Kishore Kumar came up for hearing at the Principal Bench headed by Swatanter Kumar, Ashok Devraj, the advocate representing the Karnataka government, said though earlier all three petitions were heard by the Principal Bench, now two petitions have been shifted to different benches. It is better all the matters are heard by the Principal Bench, he said.
Rejecting the plea, Justice Swatanter Kumar posted the matter to September 8. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government submitted a video to substantiate its claim that there will not be any damage to the ecology of Western Ghats due to the project.
The bench also agreed to the petitioners’ plea that a copy of the video should be given to them.