Hyderabad: A division bench of Telangana high court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, on Monday issued notices to the state govt, mines & geology dept, and several other govt authorities to respond within four weeks regarding the rampant illegal mining in Khammam district.
The court issued directions in response to a PIL based on a letter written by one N Ramu to the high court. Ramu alleged widespread illegal mining operations in Khammam district, with mining companies violating permissions and extracting minerals beyond authorised limits. He also raised serious concerns about environmental damage and substantial financial losses to the state exchequer.
He further alleged that local mining and forest department officials were colluding with the violators by ignoring the norms.
The court also issued notices to the member secretary, TS Pollution Control Board, principal chief conservator of forests, collector, superintendent of police, and district forest officer of Khammam to file their responses in the form of an affidavit. The matter has been posted to the next date of hearing.