New Delhi, Sep 7 (PTI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday said “unfortunately and inexplicably” the Supreme Court has denied the “most justifiable request” of the High Powered Committee on the Aravallis for an extension of six months to submit its final report.
The Supreme Court rejected a plea by the High-Powered Committee (HPC) seeking a six-month extension to submit its report on the definition and protection of the Aravalli Hills and directed it to submit the report by November 30.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the panel to submit issue-specific interim reports to enable the court to decide the matter and warned that in case of failure, it will reconstitute the committee.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh said, “Unfortunately & inexplicably the Supreme Court has, in its wisdom, denied the most justifiable request of the High Powered Committee on the Aravallis for an extension of 6 months beyond Aug 31,2026 to submit its final report.” The CJI observed, “Let the panel work day and night to submit a report on the Aravalli issue, if they are unable to do that in two months, we will reconstitute the whole panel.” The CJI also emphasised that the committee sought the extension “with the first stroke of the pen” and appeared to be waiting for his retirement.
In its plea, the apex court-appointed Aravalli HPC asked the top court to extend the deadline for submission of its final report by six months, saying it needs more time for a “comprehensive and defensible” assessment of the Aravalli range.
The bench said that the committee must hear all stakeholders, including tribal communities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and may submit issue-specific interim reports to enable the court to resolve urgent questions separately.
The court then listed the matter for December 2.
On December 28 last year, amid a row over the definition of Aravalli hills approved by it, the top court took suo motu cognisance of the issue.
The committee, constituted through an order dated May 25, has been conducting an independent review of the Centre’s report on the definition and delineation of the Aravallis. The deadline for the panel’s final report was August 31. PTI ASK 1.0.0 MDO MDO
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