The Orissa High Court today issued notices to the state and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) asking them to file counters in response to a PIL which blames these rival parties of colluding to convert forest land into non-forest ones for mining activities.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice A K Goel and Justice A K Rath after holding preliminary hearing on the petition filed by Hensamul Sarapanch of Angul district issued notices to Odisha Chief Secretary, State Forest and Environment department Secretary, Angul Collector and Managing Director of MCL.
Sumitra Sahu in her petition alleged that both state and MCL by forging the resolution of a Palli Sabha, had converted a forest land into non-forest land under the Hensmul panchayat for the purpose of mining.
The petition further said that the government and MCL also failed to implement various provisions of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006.
