The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognizance of serious allegations of illegal mining against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Saran Singh in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district. Responding to a plea filed by Raja Ram Singh, the NGT has constituted a Joint Committee to investigate the matter and take appropriate remedial action.

The plea filed by Raja Ram Singh claimed that Brij Bhushan Singh has been involved in illegal mining activities in various villages, including Majharath, Jaitpur, and Nawabganj in Tehsil Tarbganj, Gonda district. 

It was alleged that over 700 overloaded trucks were used daily to transport the illegally extracted minor minerals. Furthermore, Singh was accused of illegally stockpiling and selling approximately 20 lakh cubic meters of minor minerals. The environmental concerns were further exacerbated by the reported damage caused to the Patpar Ganj Bridge and Road due to these overloaded trucks.

Recognizing the gravity of the allegations, the NGT remarked that the application raised significant questions pertaining to environmental issues arising from the implementation of relevant enactments under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. 

Consequently, the NGT constituted a Joint Committee comprising the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control, and District Magistrate of Gonda.

The directive to the Joint Committee was clear: conduct an on-site investigation within one week, address the grievances raised by the applicant, include the applicant and a representative from the concerned project proponent in the investigation process, verify the factual situation, and take appropriate remedial measures while adhering to due legal procedures and allowing the project proponent an opportunity to be heard.

The NGT particularly emphasized the Committee's focus on examining compliance with the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines of 2016 and the Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining of 2020, including measures for the rehabilitation of mined areas and the extent of damage caused to the river Saryu.

As the investigation proceeds, the matter is scheduled for further consideration on November 7. The NGT has instructed the Joint Committee to submit a detailed factual and action taken report within two months, providing transparency and accountability in the process.

This high-profile case has drawn attention to environmental concerns related to mining activities and their potential impacts on the ecosystem and local communities. The NGT's intervention demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding the environment and enforcing relevant laws to preserve natural resources.

Case Title: Raja Ram Singh v. State of UP