Chennai: The central government has informed the Madras High Court that since the Coimbatore Isha Foundation has constructed buildings for educational purposes, it has been exempted from the requirement to obtain environmental clearance.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had sent a notice to Isha Foundation on November 19 last year asking for an explanation as to why the case should not be prosecuted for constructing buildings in violation of the rules. A case was filed in the Madras High Court on behalf of Isha Foundation seeking a stay on this notice.
After hearing the case, the High Court had issued an interim order not to take any further action on the notice against Isha Yoga Centre.
The Chief Justice T. Raja, Justice T. Krishnakumar and came up for hearing again today. At that time, the central government said, “Buildings have been constructed for educational purposes and student hostels. Therefore, Isha Foundation has been exempted from the requirement to obtain environmental clearance.”
The judges then interrupted, “Why make a law and then exempt from it?” They questioned. Later, the central government ordered an explanation as to how the Isha Trust buildings were brought under the exemption clause and adjourned the hearing to tomorrow (September 28).