Judgement of the National Green Tribunal regarding running of minor mineral quarries in Tamil Nadu without Environment Clearance, 18/04/2017
Judgement of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Himmat Singh Shekhawat Vs State of Rajasthan & Others dated 18/04/2017 regarding illegal running of minor mineral quarries in Tamil Nadu. The State of Tamil Nadu has filed the present application (M.A. No. 260 of 2017) with the prayer that the Tribunal may pass appropriate order/directions for extending the time for implementation of the directions contained in the judgment of the Tribunal dated 13th January, 2015 (mining lease right holders would have to comply with obtaining Environmental Clearance) by one year or by any other reasonable period as the Tribunal may consider appropriate in the facts and circumstances of the case.
According to State of Tamil Nadu the closure of mines will bring cascading effect on the construction and allied activities. It would also affect employment adversely. Stoppage of mining activity would result in shortage of minerals for the development and industrial activities.
NGT while dismissing the Application of State of Tamil Nadu states that sufficient time (more than two years) has been granted for compliance and such non-compliance remains entirely unexplained, much less justified by proper grounds and reasoning. Economic reasons cannot entirely frustrate the environmental protection.