Illegal sand mining in Sardar Sarovar project: Medha Patkar

BHOPAL: Social activist Medha Patkar has alleged to the National Green Tribunal (NGT)that there is rampant illegal sand mining in catchment and submergence areas of Sardar Sarovar project, in four districts of Badwani, Dhar, Alirajpur and Khargone in Madhya Pradesh.

She has also claimed that volunteers of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) and National Convener of National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) were being threatened in Badwani district by the mining mafia.

Hearing her plea, NGT central zonal bench in Bhopal, comprising of judicial member Justice Dalip Singh and expert member AR Yousuf, directed the state government to furnish records of details of royalty collection in mining lease area after expiry date of consent from MPPCB or SEIAA.

The state has also been asked to furnish information pertaining to preventive measures taken in apprehending such illegal mining, transportation of illegally mined sand, confiscation of mineral and the vehicles etc along with details of any penalties imposed and FIRs and complaints lodged against errant persons.

Information has been sought from the state regarding all four districts in the petition. The case has been transferred this year from Jabalpur bench of MP high court (MPHC) where it was first heard in February 2014. Next hearing in the matter would be on November 17.

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Source:Timesofindia