NGT Forms Committee To Probe Allegations Of Illegal Mining Against Brij Bhushan Singh In UP’s Gonda, Seeks Action Taken Report Within Two Months

The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a Joint Committee to verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action with regard to allegations of illegal mining by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda District.

“In view of the averments made in the application, we consider it appropriate that a Joint Committee be constituted to verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action,” said the bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel.

Raja Ram Singh had filed a plea, raising allegations of illegal mining against Brij Bhushan Singh. It was submitted that Singh allegedly in villages like Majharath, Jaitpur, Nawabganj, Tehsil Tarbganj, District Gonda has illegally transported the extracted minor minerals everyday by over 700 overloaded trucks.

The applicant further stated that Singh was allegedly storing and illegally selling minor minerals measuring about 20 lakh cubic meters. Patpar Ganj Bridge and Road was also damaged by overloaded trucks, he added.

Considering the allegations, NGT observed that, “Prima facie, the averments made in the application raise questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.”

In the light of the above, the bench constituted a Joint Committee comprising the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control and District Magistrate, Gonda.

The Tribunal directed the Committee to meet within one week, “undertake visits to the site, look into the grievances of the applicant, associate the applicant and representative of the concerned project proponent, verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action by following due course of law and giving opportunity of being heard to the project proponent.”

The Committee may “particularly clarify on compliance with Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 and Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020 including rehabilitation of mined areas and damage caused to river Saryu”, added NGT.

While posting the matter for November 7 for further consideration, the Tribunal directed, “Factual and Action taken Report may be submitted within two months.”

Case Title: Raja Ram Singh v. State of UP