In a surprise move during the tenure of Modi led centre government Ex-TN Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan been appointed as NGT special member
 
Saibal Dasgupta, the present expert member, has been transferred to the Eastern bench of the NGT.
 
Girija Vaidyanathan was appointed by the principal bench of the NGT in New Delhi on Monday.
 
It should be noted environment advocacy group, Poovulagin Nanbargal, had earlier filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court, saying that Girija Vaidyanathan did not have enough experience in environment-related activities.
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The court in February gave six weeks’ time for her to reply. 
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It is to be noted it is during her tenure ADMK led government said no to DMK leader burial at Marina sands . Later DMK moved to High Court and got the permission .
 
ADMK CM Palani Samy through  her said  no to DMK opposition leader even after in person M.K Stalin visited CM house and requested for 6ft x 3 ft land for burial 
 
The NGT Southern Zone bench has been proactive dealing in several issues, including taking action on ground water contamination against State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) in Cuddalore.
 
Also the crucial sterlite copper factory agitation on 22nd May 2018  where 13 innocent agitators been killed by police bullets has happened during her tenure as chief secretary ..reacting to people anger then the Government shut the plant 

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During Feb 2019 In a major setback to Vedanta Resources Plc, who runs Coppet plant in Tuticorin the Supreme Court set aside Monday the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that allowed Sterlite Industries Ltd to reopen its copper plant at Tuticorin.

The order was set aside on the grounds of maintainability

During the time chief Minister of Tamilandu Palanisamy has said he been aware of shooting incident against agitators through TV.