HC raps Haryana again over ‘casual’ handling of mining violations

Less than two months after flagging “callousness”, possible “connivance” and a prima facie case of “loot and plunder of natural resources”, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has again rapped Haryana for treating serious environmental concerns in a “casual manner”.

The Bench of Justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Rohit Kapoor also questioned the state’s decision to propose an inquiry committee instead of complying with court directions. “We expect more thoughtful action on the part of the state,” it observed.

The matter pertains to alleged large-scale environmental violations in a mining area in Charkhi Dadri. The Bench was, on a previous date of hearing, told that the area fell in the Aravallis. The court found the latest affidavit by the Chief Secretary wanting, as it was “silent with regard to the action to be taken pursuant to the previous orders” and did not clarify whether the mining site had been sealed. It further recorded that directions issued to the Haryana Space Application Centre had not been complied with.

Taking exception to the state’s stand that it was “proposing to constitute some inquiry committee”, the Bench said no such direction had been issued. “We find it difficult to appreciate the stand taken by the state, inasmuch as the directions already issued have not been complied with and serious issues relating to environmental concerns are being dealt with in a casual manner,” it added.

Reports, too, had been summoned from the Haryana Space Application Centre, Citizen Resources Information Department, Government of Haryana, Hisar. “We are at a loss to understand as to what kind of inquiry is proposed in the matter when the issue is sub judice,” it said.

The court directed all respondents, including the Union of India, to file fresh affidavits strictly in compliance with earlier directions by the next date of hearing on April 16.