Summary:
more-inThe Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the State government to secure a status report without any delay on allegations about illegal operation of quarrying and stone crushing units causing pollution in two villages near Tippagondanahalli and Manchanabele reservoirs, besides polluting water in the reservoirs. The petition alleges that some local persons are helping carry out of illegal activities in return for ‘incentives’. A Division Bench that included Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee issued the direction on a petition filed by Samaja Parivarthana Samithi, an NGO. The petitioner contended that illegal quarrying of building stones is under way in various places, including land belonging to the State and adjacent to ancient temples, though no quarrying licences were issued after 2011. The officials concerned have remained silent despite submission of a written complaint..