PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notices to the State government in relation to a contempt petition regarding resurgence of illegal sand mining in the State.
Notices issued to Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, Mines & Geology Director Vivek H S and DGP Mukesh Kumar Meena are returnable by January 11, 2021.
The petitioner ‘The Goa River Sand Protectors Network’ has alleged that illegal sand mining has returned with a vengeance and the authorities, who, in the past had done commendable work in preventing it, appear to have let down the guard.
The bench comprising Justices M S Sonak and M S Jawalkar observed that prima facie it finds that the court orders in relation to sand mining are not being complied with.
“In the said circumstances, we are constrained to issue notice to the respondents to show cause as to why action under the Contempt of Courts Act be not initiated against them. In addition, we now direct the respondent no. 1 (Chief Secretary) to personally ensure that our orders in relation to illegal sand mining are complied with in letter and spirit, not only by him, but, also by the authorities who were directed to take specific steps to prevent the sand mining or in any case, this rampant illegal sand mining,” the court said.
The bench has directed the respondents to file their responses on or before January 11, 2022, without seeking any extension of time. For any reason, if the responses cannot be filed by the given date by any of the respondents, then, they will have to personally remain present to submit their say in the matter.
The court has also asked the respondents to treat the matter with utmost seriousness, since, the issue is not just relating to the compliance of the directions of the Court, but concerns serious environment hazards, ‘which will haunt us, if rampant illegal sand mining is allowed to continue’.
During the hearing, the Advocate General Devidas Pangam submitted that action has already commenced and the authorities are taking action to stop illegal sand mining.
