<p>The High Court has directed the government to make a statement as to whether it is willing to conduct a study on the issue of grant of temporary permit to extract sand in the coastal regulation zone. The PIL was concerning sand mining permits at Phalguni river in Dakshina Kannada.</p>.<p>A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka passed the order on the PIL filed by Franky D’Souza and nine others from Mangaluru. The petition challenged issuance of temporary permits for sand mining on the banks of Phalguni river at Kenjar, Thukur and Malavoor villages.</p>.<p>In the previous hearing, the court had observed that none of the three provisions in the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 (Rule 31-ZA, Rule 31-ZB and Rule 31-ZB-A) contemplate grant of temporary licences for sand mining. The court had also said that no temporary licences for sand mining shall be granted contrary to the said rules.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/ngt-directs-centre-states-to-convene-meetings-to-ensure-scientific-sand-mining-957706.html" target="_blank">NGT directs Centre, states to convene meetings to ensure scientific sand mining</a></strong></p>.<p>During the hearing on February 25, the government advocate made a submission stating that the permission for removal of sand in coastal regulation zone can be granted under Rule 31-ZB in terms of the office memorandum dated November 8, 2011.</p>.<p>“The question is whether the state is under an obligation to make a study through experts on the issue of grant of permissions for removal of sand causing damage to the environment and affecting the traditional occupations of the villagers. The state government will make a statement before the court on the next date whether it is willing to conduct the study through an expert agency and whether it is willing to make a statement that till such a study is not completed, no further licences shall be issued,” the court said.</p>.<p>The matter has been posted for further hearing to March 12.</p>
<p>The High Court has directed the government to make a statement as to whether it is willing to conduct a study on the issue of grant of temporary permit to extract sand in the coastal regulation zone. The PIL was concerning sand mining permits at Phalguni river in Dakshina Kannada.</p>.<p>A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka passed the order on the PIL filed by Franky D’Souza and nine others from Mangaluru. The petition challenged issuance of temporary permits for sand mining on the banks of Phalguni river at Kenjar, Thukur and Malavoor villages.</p>.<p>In the previous hearing, the court had observed that none of the three provisions in the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 (Rule 31-ZA, Rule 31-ZB and Rule 31-ZB-A) contemplate grant of temporary licences for sand mining. The court had also said that no temporary licences for sand mining shall be granted contrary to the said rules.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/ngt-directs-centre-states-to-convene-meetings-to-ensure-scientific-sand-mining-957706.html" target="_blank">NGT directs Centre, states to convene meetings to ensure scientific sand mining</a></strong></p>.<p>During the hearing on February 25, the government advocate made a submission stating that the permission for removal of sand in coastal regulation zone can be granted under Rule 31-ZB in terms of the office memorandum dated November 8, 2011.</p>.<p>“The question is whether the state is under an obligation to make a study through experts on the issue of grant of permissions for removal of sand causing damage to the environment and affecting the traditional occupations of the villagers. The state government will make a statement before the court on the next date whether it is willing to conduct the study through an expert agency and whether it is willing to make a statement that till such a study is not completed, no further licences shall be issued,” the court said.</p>.<p>The matter has been posted for further hearing to March 12.</p>
