Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy faced a setback in the Supreme Court on Monday. The Apex High Court was furious over illegal sand mining. It ordered Jagan’s government to immediately stop illegal sand mining.
It is directed to implement the NGT directive as it is. The Supreme Court has passed orders to immediately stop the sand mining carried out without permits. The Supreme Court directed the AP government to take immediate action against illegal sand mining.
The Union Environment and Forest Department has been directed to file an affidavit by May 9 on the action taken against illegal sand mining. Also, the Supreme Court made it clear that the state government should also file an affidavit on illegal sand mining within the same date.
The court ruled that there was no stay on the NGT verdict. The Supreme Court also directed the NGT to take action against those who committed irregularities as per the rules. Jaypee Ventures has also been directed to give an affidavit stating that illegal sand mining is not taking place.
It has also directed the AP government to immediately stop sand mining where there are no environmental permits. Where there are permits, sand mining should be done only manually, it said.
Petitioner Nagendra Kumar was advised to file a complaint against the illegal sand mining to the state government immediately. The Supreme Court also directed the AP government to take immediate action on the complaints of the petitioner.
Clarifying that even if an FIR is filed against those involved in illegal sand mining, action will be taken, the next hearing has been postponed to May 10. Meanwhile, the Apex Court rejected the state government’s plea for more time to file the affidavit due to elections. The Supreme Court ruled that environmental issues are more important than elections.
