SRINAGAR: The Rs 3.10 crore environmental compensation imposed on NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd. for violations during mineral extraction from Shaliganga Nallah remains unpaid, with the company challenging the levy before the High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Mining Department, in a written reply to a starred question by Chadoora MLA Ali Mohammad Dar, said the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) had imposed the compensation on the firm for violating conditions of its environmental clearance while carrying out extraction from Shaliganga Nallah.
The Government said the company had not deposited the amount and had instead filed a writ petition before the High Court challenging the imposition of the environmental compensation. The matter is therefore sub judice.
The JKPCC has sought recovery of the amount by writing to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), requesting it to withhold and recover the environmental compensation directly from pending bills or payments due to NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd.
The compensation relates to extraction of minor minerals and riverbed mining in the Shaliganga stream at Panzan and adjoining areas of Chadoora.
The Government’s response was issued against Starred Question D. No. 1/6/637, which also referred to the Mining Minister’s response during the previous Assembly session regarding the environmental compensation imposed on the company.
The department said the details regarding the levy and non-payment were based on information reported by the JKPCC.
