Question : ILLEGAL MINING IN ARAVALI RANGES

(a) whether the Government is aware that illegal mining is taking place in Aravali ranges despite a ban imposed by Hon’ble Supreme Court;

(b) if so, whether the Haryana and Rajasthan Governments have been directed by the Hon’ble Court to check the same;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the concerned State Government’s machinery are shielding the mining mafia instead of taking any action; and

(e) if so, the concrete steps the Government proposes to take immediately to halt mining as per the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) No, Sir.

(b)&(c) Hon’ble High Court of Rajasthan vide their judgement dated 17.03.2004 in the D. B. Civil Writ Petition No.4409/2003, 2108/2003, 4606/2003, 1967/2003, 4864/2003, 7544/2003 had directed the State Government of Rajasthan to stop the mining operations which were taking place in contravention of the provisions of the law.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Both the State Governments of Rajasthan and Haryana are ensuring compliance with the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and mining operations in all the leases which are not having requisite clearances/ consent have already been stopped.