In Brief
The Supreme Court examined whether the National Green Tribunal could direct State Governments to reconsider appointments of members to State Pollution Control Boards. The Court held that the NGT exceeded its jurisdiction: SPCB appointments are not "disputes" or "substantial environmental questions" within the NGT Act. However, the Court noted widespread failures by States to appoint qualified professionals and left open the possibility of writ of quo warranto challenges in High Courts. The Court directed States to frame recruitment guidelines within six months to ensure expert, qualified appointments to SPCBs, emphasizing constitutional obligations under Articles 21, 48A, and 51A to protect the environment.
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