New Delhi, Jan. 6 -- Leading with firm directions, the National Green Tribunal has imposed a cost of Rs.1 lakh on the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) for repeatedly remaining absent despite due service of notice, observing that such conduct delays adjudication of serious environmental issues.

The directions were passed by a Bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (Judicial Member), Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad (Expert Members) while hearing a plea filed by T S Singh. The Tribunal recorded that the applicant had filed an affidavit of service and tracking reports showed that notice was duly delivered to the MoUD on October 21, 2025.

However, no one appeared on behalf of the Ministry at the January 5 hearing in the national c...