HC summons Himachal officials in illegal mining case

The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the Secretary Home and Director Industries to be present before it on September 21 in a matter pertaining to alleged illegal mining in the state.
During the hearing, the court observed that "no action has been taken against the persons who are indulging in illegal mining activities, as required under law" and on the statement of Amicus Curiae, it also made Secretary (Industries), State Geologist, HP Pollution Control Board, all the Deputy Commissioners and all the Superintendents of Police of all the districts as respondent in the matter.
The court further directed all the respondents to file fresh status report by or before the next date of hearing.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Sandeep Sharma passed these orders on a petition taken upsuo motoby the court as PIL on a news item published on August 13.
It was reported in the news item that the SDM, Palampur had received complaints from the residents of Sulah area that illegal mining was going on unchecked in Neugal river near Paror at Palampur, which is 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.