New Delhi, Nov 27 (TIWN) The Delhi High Court on Friday was informed by the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) that the Union Government has made available the translation of the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) in 22 vernacular languages.

While taking note of the submission of the ASG Chetan Sharma, a bench presided over by Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh disposed off the matter and directed the Centre that 60 days be given from the date of online publication of the translated versions of the EIA draft for filing objections by stakeholders. Notably, the draft EIA 2020 notification had drawn heavy criticism with experts and activists alike terming it as an effort to dilute environmental governance. 

Several hearings later, the Centre had on August 27 this year agreed in principle to translate the draft into all 22 languages. The Ministry had vehemently opposed the translation of the draft and told the High Court that it would lead to administrative chaos and that there would be administrative difficulties in the implementation of the translation into 22 languages.