National Green Tribunal Takes Action Against Illegal Mining in Punjab

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has mandated comprehensive measures against 13 stone crushers located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab due to breaches of environmental regulations and illegal mining activities. This decision stems from a recent report by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which identified unauthorized mining operations occurring within forested and hilly terrains. The tribunal’s directive focuses on ensuring adherence to environmental laws and curbing illegal activities in the Shivalik Hills region.

According to the PPCB, the investigation revealed that several stone crushers were operating outside the boundaries of legal compliance. The identified units include the Sat Sahib Stone Crusher and Screening Plant situated in Village Haripur and the Sai Stone Crusher in Village Swara, both located in the Sri Anandpur Sahib area. Notably, these facilities are associated with Baljinder Singh, also known as Aman, who is the son of Surinder Singh from New Chandigarh in SAS Nagar district.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also intervened by freezing various assets linked to Baljinder Singh, who is facing around ten criminal cases. This multi-agency action underscores the gravity of the violations highlighted by the PPCB in its findings.

The PPCB has taken financial measures against the breaching units, imposing environmental compensation fines that total to Rs 7.25 lakh on Sidhi Vinayak Stone Crusher, operated by Jeewan Kumar from Village Haripur. Additionally, fines ranging from Rs 37,500 to Rs 54.75 lakh have been enforced on multiple units for their infractions. As part of the penalty regime, several crushers have been ordered to cease operations, while diesel generator sets have also been sealed in specific instances.

Heavy financial penalties have been levied, with notable fines of over Rs 11.31 crore imposed on Sat Sahib Stone Crusher and Screening Plant, Rs 85.51 crore on Ganga Stone Crusher, and Rs 24.57 crore on Adesh Stone Crusher, among others. The PPCB, in its actions, has begun recovery proceedings against these defaulting units.

In light of the PPCB report, the NGT has reinforced the necessity of strict enforcement of closure mandates on the identified units. The tribunal has instructed the PPCB to recover outstanding environmental compensations and to finalize these regulatory measures within a three-month period. Additionally, the court has requested a detailed action-taken report from the PPCB to confirm compliance with its directives.

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