The Art of Living has filed an application to reconstitute an independent and an unbiased expert committee to examine the alleged impact of the World Culture Festival on the Yamuna floodplains.
The Art of Living objects to the existing committee comprising Mr. Brij Gopal, Prof. Gosain, Mr. CR Babu headed by Mr. Sashi Shekhar, who arrived at an arbitrary figure of Rs.120 crore based on a very brief ‘visual’ assessment, without following a scientific process. The committee has pre-judged the issue and is under self-imposed pressure to justify that figure, creating a bias for itself.
The court heard the preliminary arguments to change the committee and has issued notice to Mishra, other petitioners and respondents. The request for another independent body to simultaneously assess the site pending the final disposal of the Application will be considered by the court tomorrow.
The Art of Living wants a free and fair assessment. Any competent independent body is welcome to assess.
