SC stays NGT order on sale of fly ash to end users through transparent bidding process

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed an order of the National Green Tribunal which had directed the Ministry of Power not to implement its advisory directing all thermal power plants to provide fly ash to end users through a transparent bidding process. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi issued notice to the Amaravati Fly Ash Brick Manufacturers and sought its reply within four weeks.

The top court's order came on a plea filed by the Ministry of Power against the August 25, 2022 order of NGT.

"If the Thermal Power Plant do not monetise the sale of ash through transparent auction/bidding process, it will lead to increase in the cost of electricity generation, increase in electricity tariff for consumers and may impact the economic viability of the plant," the ministry said in its plea.

The NGT had ordered the operation of advisory dated February 22, 2022 issued by the Ministry shall not be enforced and remain in abeyance till further orders.