Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 7: In a Public Interest Litigation filed against illegal mining across the River Ravi and also seeking closure of illegal stone crushers being operated from Lakhanpur downstream to Jarai, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi has directed the Deputy Commissioner Kathua to file status report with regard to 22 stone crushers within two weeks.
After hearing Senior Advocate SS Lehar with Advocate Choudhary Ananyat Ullah for PIL whereas AAG HA Siddiqui and Advocate GS Thakur for the State whereas Senior Advocate MK Bhardwaj and Advocate SK Shukla for the private respondents, the DB observed, “the question involved in the present petition pertains to 22 stone crushers operating in district Kathua. According to the status report filed by the Pollution Control Board, all the 22 stone crushers except M/s Jai Shree Stone Crusher, Gandial meet the parameters, which include release of suspended particulate matter (SPM) prescribed under EPA Notification No.G.SR. 742(E) dated dated 30.08.1990 and SO 8(E) dated 31.12.1990”.
“According to the compliance report, pollution control devices are in place and all other norms are satisfied. However, in respect of the stone crusher figuring at serial No.13 it is stated that GI sheets of the unit were found broken and the field staff recommended service of notice for the default which is in progress”, the DB said.
“Objections to the compliance report have also been filed and it has been pointed out that issuance of NOC by the Pollution Control Board alone is not sufficient unless and until clearance is given by the District Level Committee (DLC), already established vide Government Order No.53-Ind of 2004 dated 09.03.2004”, the DB observed, adding “it is pertinent to mention that initially the Deputy Commissioner Kathua passed order on 07.12.2010 keeping in abeyance the permissions granted by the Tehsildar etc. However, this Court while issuing notice had directed the Pollution Control Board to examine the feasibility of grantig permission on the basis of the norms fixed by it. Now the Pollution Control Board has cleared these stone crushers but DLC is yet to take final decision in the matter”.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel