Subarnarekha Sand Mining Case: NGT Asks West Bengal To Submit Reply On Original Petition

Representative image of sand smuggling

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) principal bench at New Delhi comprising Justice Raghabendra Singh Rathor and expert member Satyaban Garbyal heard the Subarnarekha Sand Mining matter
(Sudarsan Das vs Government of West Bengal) on Tuesday.

The NGT earlier had passed an order asking the Collector and SP of Paschim Midnapore district of West Bengal to stop all illegal sand mining and take action against the sand miners including seizure of vehicles, equipment, machineries etc. on a petition filed by social activist and convenor of Jaleswar Bikash Manch, Sudarshan Das. He had moved the NGT in Kolkata against the Collector and the SP of West Midnapore district about a year ago.

Ritwick Dutta, advocate for the petitioner, Sudarsan Das, argued that the West Bengal government had not implemented the NGT’s order in true spirit. The action taken report submitted by the DM, Paschim Midnapore district is inadequate and the imposition of fine on illegal mining activities by the district administration is based on the Motor Vehicles Act and not under environment protection laws, he added.

The bench asked the government Counsel of West Bengal to submit a reply on the original petition. The matter will be heard on video conferencing on September 4, the bench ordered.

The Odisha government was also asked to file a reply for hearing on September 4.