PANJIM: Observing that the State government has failed to act against illegal sand mining, the Bombay High Court at Goa has issued notice to the State officials including the Chief Secretary IAS Parimal Rai for contempt of its order.
The division bench has noted “prima facie” that their order in relation to sand mining are not being complied with.
“The material placed on the record, at least, prima facie, indicates that illegal sand mining had returned with vengeance and the Authorities, who, in the past had done commendable work in preventing it, appears to have let down the guard,” the Court noted.
The notice is been issued to the Chief Secretary, Director of Mines and Geology IAS Vivek HS and DGP Meena Kumar as “why action under the contempt of Courts Act be not initiated against them”.
The court was hearing the matter filed by the Goa River Sand Protectors Network.
The Court had directed CS to personally ensure that the orders in relation to illegal sand mining are complied with in letter and spirit .
The matter is now posted for next hearing on January 11, 2021.