On 25th June 2020, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a high level committee headed by Justice BP Katakey, former High Court judge of Gauhati, to investigate the blowout at Assam’s Baghjan oil well of Oil India Limited(OIL) on 27th May 2020.
Committee:
i.The 8 member committee headed by justice Katakey will look into the 13 points listed by NGT and submit the report within 30 days.
ii.The 13 points focuses on the cause of leak, extent damage on life and environment, extent of contamination in the Dibru river and groundwater, Impact on Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Maguri-Motapung wetland zone, agriculture, fishery and other incidental or allied issues
Key Points:
The NGT has imposed a fine of Rs.25 crore on OIL for the damages caused due to the fire.
A prima case was made against OIL for the damage caused on the environment and biodiversity by the NGT bench comprising P Wangdi, a judicial member and S Das, an expert member.
The Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) served a closure notice to OIL to stop the production and drilling in the Baghjan oilfield.
Note:
On 12th June 2020, The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas formed a high level committee to inquire about the disaster.
For further info: https://affairscloud.com/3-member-high-level-committee-set-up-by-the-petroleum-ministry-to-inquire-the-assam-oil-well-disaster/
About OIL:
Chairman & Managing Director– Sushil Chandra Mishra
Head office– Noida, Uttar Pradesh
About Baghjan oil field:
The field has been operating since 2003 and has a total of 22 wells comprising 18 crude and 4 gas.
