Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 1
Just days after Punjab Cabinet’s decision to allow “unregulated and unhindered mining of minor minerals by the landowners and the public” came under judicial scanner, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was today told that the department concerned was contemplating amendment to the present policy.
As the case came up for resumed hearing before the Bench of Justice Ajay Tewari and Justice Alka Sarin, Director Mining, Punjab Department of Water Resources, Rahul Bhandari, added in his affidavit that the intention was to have more transparency in the working of the department and for ensuring cheaper sand and gravel to the public. “No new policy has been promulgated as yet,” it was added.
In the petition against the state of Punjab and other respondents, Mahadev Enclave Pvt Ltd was seeking directions for quashing the decision dated September 20 taken by the government in its Cabinet meeting.
Directions were also sought to place on record the decision before further quashing “subsequent consequential decision” by the state government for allowing unregulated and unhindered mining.
The counsel for the petitioners had described the decision as an illegal act, a political gimmickry and an election stunt. The Bench was told that the elections to the Legislative Assembly in the state were just about two to three months away and the dispensation within the ruling party had changed.
Free sand to the public was being offered with intent to gain political mileage, even though it was legally and practically unfeasible. It was likely to cause complete chaos in minor mineral extraction and would lead to environmental disaster.
“The ruling party with intent to fulfil the promise mentioned by it in the last election manifesto regarding free sand to public is doing this all,” it was added.
Punjab Govt mulling policy changes for cheaper sand, gravel, Punjab and Haryana High Court told
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