Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal sand mining, Yamuna Nagar district, Haryana, 12/05/2022
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Shokeen Ali & Others Vs State of Haryana & Others dated 12/05/2022.
Grievance in the application is against inaction of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board in enforcing environmental norms against people engaged in illegal mining at Galauri block/YNR B-39 of district Yamuna Nagar, Haryana. Though penalty has been levied for loss of royalty under the Haryana Minor Mineral Concession, Stocking, Transportation of Minerals, and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2012, no action has been taken for violation of environmental norms in the course of such illegal mining.
The NGT noted that large scale illegal mining had taken place for which action taken by the authorities is inadequate and not expeditious. Even the interim penalty of Rs. 5 crores has not been recovered, "though the enquiry officer had found the liability of the lessee to be more than 40 Crores towards royalty price and penalty, which may now increase, with addition of liability for the violation of environmental norms," the order said.
The Green Tribunal directed the Chief Secretary, Haryana to review the monitoring mechanism to prevent illegal mining for effective action against any violations at different levels. Pending proceedings must be concluded within three months.