NGT pulls Haryana, Rajasthan govts over sand mining

The National Green Tribunal has taken strong objection to the non-compliance of its orders by the Haryana and Rajasthan governments on the issue of sand mining and warned it of coercive action.
A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar directed both the state governments to file comprehensive status reports within two weeks.
"Despite our orders the states of Rajasthan and Haryana have not completely complied with our directions. We direct both these state governments to ensure complete and comprehensive status reports be placed on record.
"If now compliance is not made within two weeks from as directed each of the states would be liable to pay Rs 50,000 as costs for non-compliance," the bench said while posting the matter for next hearing on April 21.

The Tribunal had earlier hit out at the Rajasthan government for "shutting its eyes" to indiscriminate mining activities in Alwar and directed it to ban illegal mining of minor minerals in the district and seize all crushers and grinders operating illegally.
It had also directed the state government to file a comprehensive plan for "restoration, reforestation and reclamation" of the entire area, along with the cost likely to be incurred.
The directions came while perusing a report filed by Alwar's Deputy Conservator of Forests, which had stated that rampant mining is going on in an area approximately spanning 2,612.64 hectares of the district.