Report on illegal mining in Kaushambi and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 07/02/2020
The minutes of meeting of Oversight Committee under Chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Rajes Kumar, Allahabad High Court held on February 7, 2020 in compliance of NGT order dated 28/08/2018 in O.A. No. 164/2018 in the matter of Ashwani Kumar Dubey Vs Union of India & Others and order dated February 12, 2019 in O.A. No. 670/2018 in the matter of Atul Singh Chauhan Vs Ministry of Environment & Forests.
Mine officer submitted a chart on mining of sand giving detail of 20 pattas in district Kaushambi, wherein he has given the detail of the amount recovered and the future amount recoverable. The officer replied that due to bad quality of sand the bidders have not come forward.
Senior Mines Officer verbally stated that various actions have been taken to stop the illegal mining of sand in district Prayagraj with the help of the police. SSP Prayagraj submitted that unless the stock of the stacked sand is removed, it would be difficult to check illegal mining.
The petitioner, Atul Singh Chauhan has stated that in Baswar area huge illegal mining was going on by the operation of the JCB and boats particularly in the night. To which, the senior mines officer replied in the negative and said that he himself had inspected the area.
The Oversight Committee headed by Justice Rajes Kumar, expressed satisfaction at the various actions taken and at the reports submitted for check illegal mining and for the settlement of the mining pattas.
Note: Uploaded on February 28, 2020