The Gauhati High Court has recently directed the state government to take action against the erring contractor who allegedly indulged in illegal mining out of the scope of the contract granted to him.
The PIL was initially filed against the contractor, but its scope was later extended to direct the state government to frame comprehensive guidelines to check illegal mining in Assam.
The court was informed that the guidelines had been framed and were already in place.
However, the court noted that despite finding the allegations against the contractor to be true, no action had been taken against him.
The court found it strange that no action had been taken against the contractor, despite the respondents acknowledging that he had indulged in illegal mining.
The plea taken by the respondents for not taking any action against the contractor was that the contract period had already been over.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N. Unni Krishnan Nair has directed the respondent authorities to clarify whether there is any provision under the existing minor mineral rules or guidelines for taking action against the erring contractor.
The state government has been directed to implement new minor mineral rules, titled “The Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2024,” which are expected to stop illegal mining in the state.
The court has also directed the respondent authorities to file an additional affidavit to this effect.