It is sad that government has no answers: D Raja on Sri Sri's event

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja on Thursday questioned the deployment of Indian Army soldiers for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's World Cultural Festival, and described it as sad that the NDA Government has no answer as to why it is supporting a private event.

"These are irregular things which the government is promoting, because how is the army allowed to work in such event. We have also raised this question on the deployment of the army yesterday in parliament as this was not an official event where army officials can be deployed. It is sad that government has no answers," Raja told ANI.

The opposition yesterday raised the issue of the Indian Army's involvement in the construction of pontoon bridges for the World Culture Festival, creating anuproar in the Rajya Sabha.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury hit out at the Centre asking why was the Army being roped in for a private event following which the Opposition MPs raised slogans of 'Army ka galat istemaal mat karo, raksha karo'.

A bench headed by NGT Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar imposed fines of Rs. 5 crore on the Art of Living Foundation, Rs. 5 lakh on the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Rs. 1 lakh on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for violation of environmental norms while giving clearance for the event.

The NGT has given directions to prevent any damage to sewage, water, electricity. Fines Rs. 5 crore on the Art of Living Foundation and Rs. 1 lakh on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, DDA 5 lakhs, and to assess the actual damage and the restoration cost the expert committee has been given four weeks.