<p>Hearing a public interest litigation by B K Mohan Kumar who had challenged the use of mechanised boats to extract sand, the Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna directed the lease holders to apply for clearance in a week. <br /><br />Besides, the Department of Environment has been directed to clear the applications by February 25, 2011.<br /><br />The court also directed that sand quarry lease, which were stalled due to extended injunctions be given an extension before the term expires on March 31, 2011.<br /><br />Sand mining policy<br /><br />The court also directed the lease holders to abide by the newly-formulated sand mining policy and the same be filed in the form of an affidavit. <br /><br />Earlier, during the hearing, the petitioners submitted that the mechanised sand quarry would affect the ground water. However, the Bench refused to buy the argument. <br /><br />On the question of policy related to sand quarry, R G Kolle, the Government Counsel said that a policy decision on sand mining has been taken by the high-powered committee on January 29, 2011 and the same is placed before the court.<br /><br />Areas identified</p>.<p>He submitted that 1,600 blocks had been identified for sand quarrying and would be allocated in a phased manner. <br /><br />He further said that sand quarrying using mechanised boats as per the norms must not be below one metre in the river bed and added that the Department does not have a system of enforcement. <br /></p>
<p>Hearing a public interest litigation by B K Mohan Kumar who had challenged the use of mechanised boats to extract sand, the Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna directed the lease holders to apply for clearance in a week. <br /><br />Besides, the Department of Environment has been directed to clear the applications by February 25, 2011.<br /><br />The court also directed that sand quarry lease, which were stalled due to extended injunctions be given an extension before the term expires on March 31, 2011.<br /><br />Sand mining policy<br /><br />The court also directed the lease holders to abide by the newly-formulated sand mining policy and the same be filed in the form of an affidavit. <br /><br />Earlier, during the hearing, the petitioners submitted that the mechanised sand quarry would affect the ground water. However, the Bench refused to buy the argument. <br /><br />On the question of policy related to sand quarry, R G Kolle, the Government Counsel said that a policy decision on sand mining has been taken by the high-powered committee on January 29, 2011 and the same is placed before the court.<br /><br />Areas identified</p>.<p>He submitted that 1,600 blocks had been identified for sand quarrying and would be allocated in a phased manner. <br /><br />He further said that sand quarrying using mechanised boats as per the norms must not be below one metre in the river bed and added that the Department does not have a system of enforcement. <br /></p>
