Guj govt's response sought on plea alleging illegal sand

The National Green Tribunal today sought a response of Gujarat government on a plea alleging illegal mining going in the state in "brazen violation" of the Supreme Court and NGT's directions.
A five-member bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued a notice to Gujarat government and sought its reply by September 26.
The order came on a petition filed by Haryana-based agriculturist Virender Singh Choudhary who alleged the state has granted contracts permitting removal of sand upto a depth of 10 meters from river beds as against the three meter or water level depth recommended by the apex court.

Advocate Anand Verma, appearing for Choudhary, contended the state government has allowed mining operations to be carried on without the licensees/contractors having obtained environmental clearance in violation of the Tribunal's August 5 order banning mining across the country without clearances.
The petition alleged since Gujarat government granted the contracts despite being aware of the apex court and the Tribunal's orders, it is "complicit in the violation of the judgment and the recommendations".