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Judgment
The petitioner, claiming to be a public spirited person and who has raised several key issues in the past relating to environment, brings alarming facts to light pertaining to the operation of a cement manufacturing unit in the East Jaintia Hills District.
According to the petitioner, the seventh respondent company has obtained permission from the State to operate a cement plant along with a captive power plant of 10 mw, but it has gone on to manufacture more cement than what was envisaged in the State’s letter of approval of November 13, 2008.
The petitioner claims that mining activities in relation to limestone have been undertaken by the seventh respondent without obtaining any license or permission in such regard. In such context, the petitioner places queries raised by the Union Ministry of Mines on March 2, 2022 and claims that the seventh respondent’s replies to the queries do not reveal any license for mining limestone having been obtained by it.
The State seeks time and says that the principal issues raised have to be answered by the seventh respondent. However, despite the State having been served, the State is unable to throw any light immediately as to whether the seventh respondent has obtained any license for mining.
Clearly, there appears to be something remiss. Whether or not the State is complicit, has to be inquired into.
All the respondents, including the seventh respondent, should be served immediately and informed that the matter will appear a week hence for the preliminary questions raised by the petitioner to be answered. The petitioner’s prayers for a wider inquiry, including as to the possible nexus between the State and the seventh respondent, will be considered on the adjourned date.
List on November 7, 2023.