Keonjhar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to probe allegations that mining giant M/s Serajuddin & Co was involved in exploring minerals in violation of environmental norms.
The NGT order spelt fresh trouble for the company as its mining lease is expiring December 1, it was learnt.
Ramchandra Mohanta and Jeevan Kumar Nayak moved NGT over violation of forest and environment norms in Serajuddin mines.
The panel comprising Justice SP Wangdi and a judicial member of NGT-Kolkata heard the case Tuesday and gave the ruling, lawyer Shankar Prasad Pani said.
The petitioners made Balada mining authorities, the state government, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Centre of India, collector and DFO-Keonjhar as parties in the case.
According to reports, the company was given a go-ahead to mine in 24.446 hectare of rural forest, 113.73 hectare of DLC forest and 33.192 hectare of non-forested land till December 1, 2017.
But the petitioners alleged the company failed to manage 36.85 tonnes of solid waste and dumped it in the mines. It was also asked to develop a green cover along Betajhari and Jalapa canals which has not been adhered to. Similarly, the mining company has not taken any measures to check air pollution even as more than 18,000 vehicles ply in the mining region. This apart, it increased its extraction capacity four times violating the guidelines, the petitioners said.
Many other agencies of the district also voiced concern against further extension of the lease to the company.
It makes no sense to allow mining activities when the district was left hardly with any major industrial units, argued district BJP president Radhakanta Mohanta. PNN
