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Yamuna bank festival: AOL says it needs a month to collect penalty money

11 Mar 2016

New Delhi, Mar 11 (JEN) As the National Green Tribunal agreed upon another session based on a new petition against holding of a mega cultural festival by Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living (AOL) Foundation on the banks of Yamuna in Delhi, a team of members from the organisation told the court on Friday that they will need a month's time to collect the money imposed as fine by the court earlier for environmental damage.

Terming their foundation as a charitable institution, the members said that the money should be used to build a bio diversity park.

Earlier, in Parliament on Friday, Congress minister Jairam Ramesh spoke against the event and alleged that the upcoming event will take a massive toll on the flood plains.

The NGT had cleared the event a earlier this week but decided to have another hearing session after environmentalist protested against it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inauguration on Friday.

Environmentalists have alleged that the programme, due to take place on the banks of Yamuna over the course of three days, will cause irreplaceable damage to the flood plains.

The event has also come under scanner, with many taking a swipe at both the central government and Delhi government for bias.

AOL Founder and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar opposed the fine and told NDTV, "We have not done anything wrong...we will go to jail but not pay a penny."

The event is covering an estimated 1000 acres of land and is already causing a massive traffic congestion.

Temporary construction includes floating bridges and a 7-acre stage, which will house around 35,000 performers.

A lakh followers is expected to attend the mega event.