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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted an inquiry committee to probe the charges of illegal mining levelled against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The bench has instructed the joint investigation committee to submit its factual and action-taken report to the tribunal within two months.
Petition alleges illegal tree removal
Rajaram Singh filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), alleging that Brij Bhushan Singh illegally removed about 700 trees daily from Mazhart, Jaitpur, and Nawabganj villages of Tehsil Tarabganj in Gonda district. They are conducting overloaded truck transportation and illegally selling minor minerals.
It is alleged in the petition that illegal mining of minor minerals is being done in an area of about 20 lakh cubic meters, which is stored and later sold illegally. Due to this, the Saryu River is suffering a lot. At the same time, the daily traffic of overloaded trucks in large numbers is causing damage to the Patpar Ganj Bridge and the road.
Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi observed that prima facie the allegations made in the petition raise questions relating to the environment relating to the implementation of the Acts specified in Schedule I of the NGT Act, 2010.
NGT said “We are of the view that a joint committee should be constituted in this matter to verify these facts and take appropriate remedial steps. Therefore, we constitute a joint committee consisting of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, and District Magistrate of Gonda join."
Committee to verify mining allegations
The bench said that all the members of the joint committee should meet in a week and visit the site to verify the allegations of the petitioner. In addition, the project proponent should also have the opportunity to present their case.
The committee's mandate includes clarifying compliance with the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, and Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020, including remediation and rehabilitation of mined areas. Additionally, it will investigate any damage to river Saryu.
Meanwhile, top wrestlers of the country have accused Singh of sexual harassment, and he is currently out on bail. According to Delhi Police’s charge sheet, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) charges him under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The State Pollution Control Board will be the nodal agency in this matter. The next hearing of the matter will be on November 7, 2023.
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