MPCB, levying an amount of EDC from the appellant to the tune of Rs.77.513 lakhs by way of environmental compensation for 408 days violations, which was communicated to the appellant on 27.10.2020 and therefore, 30 days would expire on 26.11.2020. But exemption of limitation granted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court is from 15.03.2020 to 14.03.2021. Therefore, the date i.e. 26.11.2020 falls within this period and hence computation to the limitation would be reckoned from 15.03.2021 and 90 days’ period would be counted from them onwards, which would expire on 14.06.2021, while the present appeal has been filed on 04.06.2021. Therefore, as far as the filing is concerned, the same would be treated to be well within time, although we find that there is a considerable delay thereafter, which has been tried to be explained by the learned counsel for applicant/appellant before us by filing an additional affidavit, stating therein that because of the COVID wave and the Advocate for applicant/appellant was infected with the said disease, the appellant could not visit the office of this Tribunal and because of that reason, delay has occurred in filing the present appeal.
