LUCKNOW: The high court has suggested UP government to obtain environmental clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forest before issuing advertisement to grant lease for the mining purposes in an area.

The state counsel said that the government is already considering such a proposal and will take some time to execute court’s suggestion. The hearing of the case as been deferred for four weeks.

The order came from a bench of chief justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice DK Upadhyay on a PIL filed by one JN Shukla who complained that despite ban, illegal mining is continuing in different districts including the state capital.

The court had found that the state grants lease to a person for mining and the latter has to apply for clearance from the ministry of environment. During pendency of the decision from the ministry, the lessee starts mining operation in anticipation of the clearance. This act becomes illegal and invites objections from several corners.

On Friday, the government counsel informed the court the state was amending the UP Minor Minerals (Concessions) Rules 1963 to incorporate the court’s views.

Courtesy: THE TIMES OF INDIA