HC directs UP to change mining rules

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to make suitable amendments in mining rules.

While hearing a public interest litigation filed by social activist Nutan Thakur, the bench of Chief Justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice D.K. Upadhyaya was informed by additional advocate general Bulbul Godiyal that mining leases were granted even before the sanction of environmental clearance from the central government.

Thakur told the court that the state government was in the process of amending mining rules.

The bench directed the state government to frame new rules so that environmental clearance is obtained before the grant of lease so that the possibility of mining without gaining clearance is eliminated.