Ensure DU campus walls are not defaced with pamphlets: NGT
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Delhi University to strictly ensure that no posters or pamphlets are pasted on the walls of the campus.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the Delhi government to provide requisite help to the university in ensuring compliance with the order, which is geared at avoiding defacement of the campus. “The counsels appearing for Delhi University as well as election officer of the Delhi University submit that the posters have now been removed and they will ensure that in future no posters are permitted to be pasted on any part of the university or the area around the university to avoid defacement of the premises as well as to prevent environmental degradation,” the bench has said.
“The counsel (for DU) also submits that they would take appropriate action against the candidates whose posters are pasted, if at all, on the premises in violation to the orders of the tribunal. The above statement should be maintained not only during election but at all other times,” it said.
The direction came while disposing of the plea filed by Delhi University law student Nithin Chandran through advocate Aditya Parolia against indiscriminate wastage of paper during student body elections.
During the proceedings, an affidavit filed by the chief election officer of the DU was placed on record which said the university has imposed fine of ₹5,000 on all the violators. The counsel, appearing for the DU, assured the bench that the varsity would strictly comply with the NGT’S order and ensure that there is no defacement of public property.
Chandran had earlier told the tribunal that despite specific direction that no paper be used for campaigning, there was rampant violation of the order during elections.
The NGT had earlier warned DU students that they may face rustication if found pasting posters on campus walls or distributing pamphlets ahead of Delhi University Students’ Union elections on September 12.