SC seeks response on illegal sand mining

The Supreme Court Friday sought responses from the Centre and states on a PIL for framing uniform rules for preventing illegal sand mining on river banks.

A Bench led by Justice S S Nijjar issued notices on the petition filed by National Legal Services Authority,requesting the court to intervene as reckless and indiscriminate sand mining along banks entailed grave peril to life sustaining capacity of natural environment.

The PIL submitted,“The rivers are being plundered by a powerful mafia controlling the sand mining business. The illegal trade is driven by the unholy nexus between contractors,politicians,trade union leaders,panchayat and Revenue officials and corrupt policemen.”