Himachal Pradesh HC toughens stand on illegal mining

Shimla, Sep 21 Taking a strong note of illegal mining activities in the state, the Himachal Pradesh High Court today cautioned that in case these are not controlled, all officials concerned including the DGP shall be held responsible.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Sandeep Sharma passed the orders on a petition taken up suo moto by the court as PIL on a news item published in some newspapers on August 13, 2016 and fixed the next hearing on September 29.

The court also directed the state geologist to remain present in person before the court on the next hearing.

It was reported in the news that the SDM, Palampur had received complaints from the residents of Sulaha area that illegal mining was going on unchecked in Neugal River near Paror at Palampur, damaging local paths, water channels, road and cremation ground.

It was further reported that the illegal mining was not only resulting in large-scale environmental degradation but also causing loss to the state exchequer as the mining material was being lifted without paying royalty to the state government.

PTI