Shift Mining Officer over claim on green laws’ violation, Chief Secy told

Vijay Arora

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, April 25

Taking a tough stand on the issue of violation of environmental laws in Dharamsala area, the HP High Court on Wednesday directed the Chief Secretary to consider the transfer of Mining Officer, Dharamsala.

Passing this order, the court observed, “Prima facie, we are of the considered view that the explanation furnished by Harvinder Singh, Mining Officer who is present in the court with regard to the illegal mining carried out in Khanyara Panchayat, is false. According to him, neither any illegal mining is being carried out at Khanyara nor has he ever received any complaint. We find the Mining Officer to be a local resident of the area and it is under these circumstances, it would not be prudent for the said Mining Officer to continue to be posted in his home district and as such we direct the Chief Secretary to forthwith consider the transfer of the said officer to an area where his services can be better utilised and perhaps it can be in Kinnaur.”

During the course of the hearing, the Mining Officer informed the court that there are no illegal mining activity in Dharamsala area, whereas in his report the Local Commissioner appointed by the court for ascertaining factual position with regard violation of environment law in this area specifically pointed out that rampant illegal mining activities are going on in this area.

Taking a serious note on this and the statement made by the Mining Officer, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed the above said order.

The court further directed the Chief Engineer, electricity board, to inspect all the commercial premises whose electricity connections were disconnected by the board in compliance of the order passed by the court whether anyone of them is still continuing to use the connection either illegally or have the electricity on the premises from some other alternate source, including generators etc, and file his compliance affidavit on May 1.

The court directed the Chief Secretary to examine the issue of removing any bore well installed by a private individual in his private property, more so for commercial purpose and file his personal affidavit in this regard within 10 days.