Supreme Court bans sand mining in Andhra Pradesh
The Supreme Court has refused to annul the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning sand mining in the State
- National
NewsTAP Bureau- Updated On:14 July 2023 1:28 PM GMT
VIJAYAWADA: In a major blow to Andhra Pradesh Government, the Supreme Court has refused to annul the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning sand mining in the State. The Andhra Pradesh Government had approached the Apex Court against the ban imposed by NGT on March 23, 2022.
Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Sanjay Karol, who heard the petition, refused to stay the ban proposed by the NGT. However, a fine of Rs 18 crore imposed by the NGT has been stayed. An expert committee has been directed to ascertain the environmental damage caused by sand mining.
The Secretary to the Environment Department has been directed to conduct an inquiry into allowing excavations with heavy machinery in river banks and river beds and to take action against those responsible.
On the other hand, the opposition has repeatedly criticised that the activities of sand mafia have increased in the State. However, the Jagan Mohan Reddy Government has rejected these criticisms.
