New Delhi: The Art of Living has moved an application in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) saying it needs four weeks time to deposit Rs 5 crore fine and to comply with all tribunal directions.
The AOL has said that it is a charitable organisation and it is difficult for it to raise Rs 5 crore in a short period.
Responding to the plea, the NGT asked, "Have you made statement in media that you would not pay fine and rather go to jail?"
The Art of Living justified the statement, saying "there is a context to that statement made in media". "Media was portraying it as a fine where as it is an amount to be paid for environmental restoration," said AOL.
This came after the NGT agreed to hear the plea by environmentalists seeking a stay on the event. The environmentalists argued that the event should not be allowed as long as the fine is not deposited.
The NGT had warned AOL that action would be taken if the fine is not paid by Friday evening. A fine of Rs 5 crore was imposed on the organisers as environmental compensation.
The NGT bench, headed by chairperson Swatanter Kumar, had said law would take its course if the Art of Living fails to pay the fine
Around 6,000 personnel from Delhi Police and its specialised units like the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Special Cell will be deployed at the World Culture Festival. A special police control room would also be set up to ensure round-the-clock monitoring, amidst uncertainty over the total footfall which the three-day event would witness.
At least 1,500 officials along with a team of Eagle Commandos will be present at the venue. Another 500 will be pressed into service in and outside the hotel where the dignitaries, guests and artistes will stay.
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