Jharkhand HC imposes Rs 10,000 fine on mines department for not filing affidavit

RANCHI: The Jharkhand high court on Wednesday imposed Rs 10,000 fine on the mines and geology department for failing to file an affidavit on a PIL on illegal sand mining in Jharkhand.
The Federation of Jharkhand Sand Traders’ Association (FJSTA) had in 2021 filed the PIL against the department and the Jharkhand State Minerals Development Corporation (JSMDC) before the HC, which was heard by a division bench of chief justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and justice Ananda Sen. The court during its last hearing of the case on March 22 ordered both the respondents to file an affidavit or face consequences. The government failed to comply with the order, leading the bench to impose Rs 10,000 fine on it.
Meanwhile, the JSMDC filed its affidavit and informed the court strict action is taken against the sand mafia. Only 21 sand ghats possess documentation and license for operation of mining activities in the state. Tenders have been floated for the allotment of sand mines. The tender for mine developer-cum-operator for excavation of sand and its transportation from the river banks to stockyard, loading of sand onto vehicles and transportation to buyers has been done. The technical bid has been scrutinised and the finance bid is due to be opened, the affidavit stated.
Meanwhile, petitioner FJSTA’s advocates Vikas Pandey and Piyush Poddar pleaded before the high court that illegal lifting of sand from river banks is on the rise. There is rampant sand mining without following norms, causing huge loss in royalty to the government as well as disturbing the ecological balance, they alleged.