11 slapped with Rs 3.57-crore penalty over illegal mining in Yamunanagar villages

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Yamunanagar, has imposed a fine of Rs 3.57 crore on 11 persons, who allegedly carried out illegal mining on panchayat land in Kohliwala and Mandewala villages of Yamunanagar district.

The action was recently taken on the report of a joint committee formed on the order of National Green Tribunal (NGT).

In his complaint to the NGT in 2022, Balwinder Kumar of Kohliwala village alleged that illegal mining was being carried out on a big portion of 156 acres of panchayat land in Kohliwala and Mandewala villages falling under Bhud Kalan gram panchayat of Yamunanagar district. He further alleged that khair trees were being cut illegally from this land, and all this was happening in connivance with officials of the local administration.

The complainant further submitted that he made complaints to the authorities concerned, but no action had been taken on his complaint. He also alleged that instead of taking action against persons involved in illegal mining, false cases were registered against him. After getting complaint from Balwinder Kumar, the NGT formed a joint committee comprising the Director of Mines and Geology, Pollution Control Board; the District Forest Officer; and the Deputy Commissioner, Yamunanagar.

The committee undertook site visits and found out the factual position with the help of video recording.

“Taking an action on the report of the joint committee, we have imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 3,57,84,180 on 11 persons belonging to Kohliwala and Mandewala villages for carrying out illegal mining on panchayat land of Bhud Kalan gram panchayat,” said Virender Punia, Regional Officer, HSPCB, Yamunanagar. He said more persons were being identified who were involved in the illegal mining case.

Action after NGT-constituted panel inspects sites

• In 2022, Balwinder Kumar of Kohliwala village moved NGT alleging that illegal mining was being carried out on a big portion of 156 acres of panchayat land in Kohliwala and Mandewala villages of Yamunanagar district
• Acting on the complaint, the NGT formed a joint committee which undertook site visits and found out the factual position with the help of video recording. Following the committee’s report, the punitive action was taken