HC issues notices to respondents in MPCB case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 28 2022: In connection with a writ petition filed by former chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Laishram Radhakishore regarding appointment of another person to the post of chairman of the board, the High Court of Manipur issued notices to all relevant respondents and asked them to respond within November 16.Additional chief secretary (forest, environment and climate change) representing the state of Manipur and Usham Deben (MLA) are official and private respondents respectively in the writ petition filed by Radhakishore, who challenged the July 14, 2022 order issued by additional chief secretary (forest, environment and climate change) for appointment of board's chairman post and prayed for annulling the order while contending that it is issued illegally.

The petitioner also sought court's advice in disposing the representation submitted by the respondents and claimed that he was appointed chairman of the board on March 24, 2017 .

In the petition, Radhakishore said that the guideline for appointment of chairman and member secretaries of Manipur Pollution Control Board was formed as per directive of the Supreme Court and accordingly reconstituted the board with himself as chairman and 11 members on July 30, 2021 .

Suspicious of removing from his post, the petitioner made a written submission to the chief minister and the chief secretary on April 12, 2022 for extending his tenure by another three years.

While the written submission was still pending, additional chief secretary (forest, environment and climate change) issued an order on July 14, 2022 appointing Usham Deben as chairman of the board, the petition said.

After hearing statements from both the petitioner and respondents, the court issued notices to respondents returnable by November 16.Meanwhile, an interim order stayed the order passed by a court on September 20, 2022 .

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