India, Nov. 5 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a Rs 10,000 fine on the Meghalaya government for failing to submit its response in a case regarding encroachments on forest land in India.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava with expert member A Senthil Vel, noted in its October 31 order that Meghalaya had not replied to a notice seeking its explanation.

The bench said the state neither filed its response nor appeared before the tribunal despite being duly served.

"We impose a cost of Rs 10,000 upon the state of Meghalaya for not complying with the orders of the tribunal, not appearing before the tribunal, and not filing the reply," the order stated.

The fine follows the NGT taking suo motu notice of a Ja...