Following a plea seeking directions to the Haryana government to specify the distance required between stone crushers and educational institutions, the National Green Tribunal has directed the Chief Secretary to finalise the same and furnish a report within two months.

A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A.K. Goel said, “We direct the Chief Secretary, Haryana, to finalise the matter expeditiously within two months and furnish a report to this tribunal. The distance which may be specified must be based on scientific and environmental rational.”

The directions came while the green panel was hearing a plea moved by the Sardar Patel Jan Chetna Education Society, that sought enforcement of an October 2018 NGT order, directing the Director of Environment to take steps and specify the distance of stone crushers from educational institutions. During the hearing, the counsel for the State government, however, informed the tribunal that “necessary steps are being taken in the matter.”