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Stop illegal mining in Rupnagar, NGT directs Punjab govt

NGT

New Delhi | The National Green Tribunal has directed the Punjab government to stop illegal sand mining in Rupnagar district and take action against the erring officers within three months.

Expressing concern over rampant mining, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed Punjab chief secretary to appear before it on March 7 with a compliance report on the issue.

It directed the state government to stop illegal extraction and transportation of sand, recover compensation for violations and take action against the vehicles used for mining in Rupnagar’s Harshabela, Swarha and Baihara villages.

NGT also directed the committee formed to look into illegal mining to make an assessment of the damages to be recovered. β€œThe compensation should be deterrent so as to render illegal activities unprofitable. The vehicles involved may not be released unless 50 per cent of the showroom value of the new vehicle is recovered. The damages should include not only the cost of the illegally mined material but also for damage to the environment,” it said.

The tribunal’s direction came after perusing the report of a committee comprising officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, mining director and the state pollution control board.

The committee in its report submitted to the NGT said that mining was being done in unscientific manner and beyond the permitted depth.

It told NGT that the stone crushers were located near the river bed in violation of law, absence of check posts and safety and stability of river banks was not maintained.

The committee was formed by the tribunal on October 20, 2018 on a plea filed by a lawyer Dinesh Kumar Chadha, who had moved the tribunal alleging huge environmental damage caused by illegal mining across the district.

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PM Modi, Congress Chief extend Christmas Greetings to Nation

ANI
PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Christmas.
Extending his greetings to the citizens on the occasion of Christmas, PM Modi expressed hope for further harmony and Joy. β€œMerry Christmas! May this special day further the spirit of harmony and joy in our society. We recall the noble thoughts of Lord Christ and the emphasis on serving society,” PM Modi Tweeted.
Mallikarjun Kharge in a tweet said β€œThe festival of Christmas gives hope to strengthen the values of brotherhood, tolerance and caring. May this joyous occasion bring happiness and prosperity to all. Merry Christmas everyone!”

Also Read: β€œHindu-Muslim Being Done To Divert People’s Attention From Real Issues”: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack On BJP

Meanwhile, a Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a 27ft high, 60ft wide Santa Clause using 1500 kg tomatoes at Gopalpur Beach in Odhisa on the occasion of Christmas.

In West Bengal, special Prayers were offered at the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata on the occasion of Christmas.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by HW News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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