PANJIM: Imposing a penal action of Rs 5 lakh on Directorate of Mines and Geology, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) rejected the State government’s report on filling up mined pits terming that it clearly demonstrates insensitivity on the part of Goa.
The NGT Principal Bench, comprising S P Wangdi, J M K Ramakrishnan and Dr Nagin Nanda, observed that the report dated August 27, 2019, on closure of laterite stone mining pits, submitted by the Director of Mines and Geology, in their opinion, ‘to state the least, is most disappointing’.
“Apart from giving the details of peripheral actions taken, a preposterous suggestion has been made for filling up the mined out pits with solid waste in consultation with a Norwegian company. We therefore, have no hesitation in rejecting the report as unacceptable,” the Bench said.
The NGT Bench further said, “If the proposal is to be accepted, it would amount to giving licence for commission of criminal offence apart from it being in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.”
“The report clearly demonstrates the insensitivity on the part of the State of Goa in dealing with such a serious question where lives have reportedly been lost,” it said.
The bench further observed that the case raises a serious question of illegal mining and failure on the part of the mining agency and the State in closing the mined out areas scientifically.
The Tribunal said that while it was not averse to granting the prayer sought, it does not find it justifiable in condoning the absolute laxity and indifference on the part of the State in dealing with the matter. “We accordingly allow time as prayed for subject to payment for Rs 5 lakh as cost to be deposited with the CPCB within a period of 15 days from hence,” it said.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, NGT directed the Goa Chief Secretary to coordinate the matter with the Department of Mines and Geology and State Pollution Control Board to ensure that effective measures are taken for mitigation of the serious environmental issues involved in the case.
“Let the report be filed within a period of one month from hence, failing which further cost of Rs 5 lakh shall be imposed. We direct the State of Goa to also deal with other the directions issued vide order dated 03.04.2019,” the order stated.
