SC asks Rajasthan govt to take immediate steps to stop illegal sand mining

The Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government including collectors and SPs of each district to take immediate steps to stop the illegal sand mining in the state. Rajasthan government has to file 'Action Taken' report within 4 weeks.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde on Wednesday directed the Rajasthan government, collector and Superintendent of Police of each district to take immediate steps to stop the illegal sand (bajri) mining.

While hearing a plea seeking allowance of leases for sand mining to continue before the ban on sand mining was imposed, CJI Bobde-led bench said that unguided sand mining is likely to damage environment irreparably.

An advocate contended that the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress party is playing 20-20 with the people.

"There is more illegal mining after the ban. The people are being fooled", added the advocate.

Bobde directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) as well to go into the question of illegal mining and suggest measures to stop illegal mining in Rajasthan. It will carry out a mandate with 6 weeks.

The court has also directed it to consider the problems of traders, transporters and stakeholders.

Rajasthan government has to file 'Action Taken' report within 4 weeks.

The apex court in 2017 had ordered to stop illegal sand mining.

Read:|SC directs centre to file compliance report on Odisha mining leases