Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 20: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting degradation of environment due to the activities of brick kilns, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sanjay Kumar Gupta today directed Secretary Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Commissioner Secretary Environment and Forests J&K to take requisite action as required in the Notification No. 190(E) dated 20.01.16 and OM dated 15.03.16 read with Notification No. SO 141(E) dated 15.01.16.
DB also directed Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to monitor the progress made after issuance of notices to brick kilns for getting the environment clearance under the notifications of Government of India and as per the guidelines issued by National Green Tribunal.
DB further directed Deputy Commissioners of Samba and Kathua to complete the process of issuance of environment clearance and in case the owners of brick kilns do not respond, their licences to operate the brick kilns shall be cancelled. The respondents were directed to file compliance report within three months.
R S Jamwal, senior counsel appeared for respondent while as S S Nanda, Senior AAG appeared for the State.
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