While hearing the PIL, the double bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice BD Guru made harsh remarks on the inaction of the Mineral Department regarding environmental protection. The Chief Justice said in clear words, how is environmental protection possible, when the environment is being destroyed. The department is sitting with its eyes closed.
Taking serious note of the illegal sand excavation taking place in Bilaspur district, the High Court has expressed strong displeasure over it. While hearing the PIL, the double bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice BD Guru made harsh remarks on the inaction of the Mineral Department regarding environmental protection. The Chief Justice said in clear words, “How is environmental protection possible when the environment is being torn to pieces. The department is sitting with its eyes closed.” The High Court has ordered the Secretary of the Mineral Department to reply in an affidavit, in which it has been asked to tell against which individual action has been taken to stop illegal mining and what penalty has been imposed.
During the hearing on Arpa Arpan Mahaabhiyan Committee and other petitions, petitioner’s lawyer Ankit Pandey presented before the court a memo of news published in various newspapers from January 1, 2024 to September 7, 2024. The court also took cognizance of a news dated 26 October 2024 related to illegal excavation in Lokhandi Ghat and expressed strong objection to it and issued instructions to the Mineral Department. The court has set the date of December 9, 2024 for the next phase of the ongoing hearing on illegal excavation.
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Atal Chowk was becoming a hindrance on the way to the college, teacher demolished it with JCB
Atal Chowk was constructed about 10 years ago in Kota village Pipartarai to perpetuate the identity of the former Prime Minister and state builder. Last night, a government teacher from the same village ordered a JCB to raze the road to the college. After the complaint of the villagers, the Tehsildar and the police team reached the spot. Now preparations are being made to take action against the teacher if he is found guilty in the investigation.
Atal Chowk was constructed on the government land of the village. Opposite the square is the house of female sarpanch Chitrekha Kaushik. A college is running right in front of it. Atal Chowk was becoming a roadblock on the way to the college. On Thursday night, government teacher Ranjit Pawar got the square demolished using JCB. Within no time the square collapsed. As soon as the information was received, the villagers complained about it to the Kota police. Trainee DSP Roshan Ahuja and Kota Tehsildar Prakash Sahu reached the spot with the team. During this, information about the entire matter was taken. During enquiry, information was received about the demolition of Atal Chowk by a government teacher. After the complaint, now preparations are being made to take action against the teacher.
Even the Sarpanch did not protest
Atal Chowk in Pipartarai was situated in front of the Sarpanch’s house. When it was being demolished by teacher Ranjit Pawar by ordering a JCB, even the Sarpanch did not oppose it. Neither did they inform the authorities.
Use of gate made from government item for publicity
A welcome gate has also been constructed near Atal Chowk in the village with the basic funds of the Gram Panchayat. Gram Panchayat Pipartarai is written in it. The college director has put a banner poster on this gate. The villagers have also complained about this to the authorities.
