The high court has issued a stern warning to the chief secretary of Goa, stating that he will be held liable for contempt if any officers ignore complaints of illegal sand extraction. This warning is a significant development in the ongoing case related to illegal sand extraction, which has been a major concern for environmentalists and the local community. The high court’s decision was made in response to a contempt petition filed by the Goa River Sand Protectors Network, which has been working tirelessly to protect the state’s natural resources. The petition highlighted the lack of effective action taken by the authorities to curb illegal sand extraction, despite repeated complaints and warnings. The high court has directed the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further illegal sand extraction. This includes the police, the mining department, the revenue department, and specifically the heads of the flying squad that carries out raids.
Permitted Network to Report Illegal Sand Mining
The high court has permitted the Goa River Sand Protectors Network to report any illegal sand mining to the Additional Collector-II, who shall act as the nodal officer. This network will be responsible for monitoring the situation and reporting any instances of illegal sand extraction to the authorities.
- The Additional Collector-II will be the first point of contact for any complaints related to illegal sand extraction.
- The network will provide the Additional Collector-II with regular updates on the situation, including the location and quantity of sand being extracted.
- The Additional Collector-II will then take appropriate action to prevent further illegal sand extraction.
Consequences of Inaction
The high court has made it clear that if any officer ignores a complaint of illegal sand extraction, the chief secretary of Goa will be held liable for contempt. This is a significant development in the case, as it highlights the importance of taking effective action to curb illegal sand extraction. The court has also directed the North Goa collector to issue a show-cause notice to the Bicholim mamlatdar seeking his explanation on the delayed action on a report of illegal sand extraction. The court expressed surprise that after repeated complaints in June and July, the mamlatdar conducted a site inspection only on August 13, 2024, and reported that no activity was going on.
| Authority | Actions |
|---|---|
| Police | Must be vigilant in monitoring sand extraction activities. |
| Mining Department | Must ensure that all mining operations are compliant with regulations. |
| Revenue Department | Must be responsible for collecting revenue from mining operations. |
| Flying Squad | Must conduct regular raids and inspections to prevent illegal sand extraction. |
Key Takeaways
The high court’s decision highlights the importance of taking effective action to curb illegal sand extraction. Some key takeaways from the case include:
- The high court has emphasized the need for the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further illegal sand extraction.
- The Goa River Sand Protectors Network has been given a crucial role in monitoring the situation and reporting any instances of illegal sand extraction to the authorities.
- The chief secretary of Goa will be held liable for contempt if any officer ignores a complaint of illegal sand extraction.
“…we expect the officer to act with a sense of responsibility and also keep in mind that any inaction on the part of any of the officers, despite the fact that the act of alleged illegal sand extraction is brought to its notice, is ignoring it, then the chief secretary of Goa will be held liable for contempt,”
Conclusion
The high court’s decision is a significant development in the ongoing case related to illegal sand extraction. The authorities have been warned to take immediate action to prevent further illegal sand extraction, and the Goa River Sand Protectors Network has been given a crucial role in monitoring the situation. The chief secretary of Goa will be held liable for contempt if any officer ignores a complaint of illegal sand extraction. This decision highlights the importance of taking effective action to protect the state’s natural resources.
