IMPHAL, December 19: At least seven persons have been booked for quarrying sands from Thoubal River bank illegally along with their vehicles and equipment. They are undergoing trial under Thoubal Judicial Magistrate informed Th Devendro, minister of Forest and Environment in the ongoing 9th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
The minister was replying to a question raised by Th Shyamkumar, MLA of Andro A/C during the question our session regarding the increasing mining of sands along the major rivers of the State, particularly in the Thoubal River by various traders.
Devendro also informed the House that activity of sand mining requires permission from the Forest and Environment authorities. At the same time, there are certain environmental norms to be followed during mining, he said. He also pointed out that those seven persons were booked for unauthorised excavation of soil from the hills and washing it into the Thoubal River.
He continued that as per the Supreme Court directives, it is illegal to excavate sands and to wash them into the river without having clearance from the authorities of the Environment Department. Besides, the authorities have to take Environment Impact Assessment before issuing and clearance orders, he added.
Th Shyamkumar supplementing his question, observed that during the last two or three years, there have been increased in sand mining activities especially in Ukhrul and Senapati Districts. Moreover, the Thoubal River has become shallower due to unchecked mining along the river bank, he said, before adding that the government has not taken enough measure to check such activities.
In another question, Shyamkumar enquired about frequent transfer of teachers recruited under RMSA and SSA schemes without conducting proper survey in the schools by the concerned ZEOs.
In reply, M Okendro, minister of Education maintained that the rationalisation process of the teachers taken up by the Education Department, Government of Manipur is going to be completed soon; as such the teachers will have to face some inconveniences. Once the process is completed, the problem of transfer will be decreased, he added.
The minister also informed that some of the transfers were done on medical ground. A transfer policy of the teacher is also in the offing, he said.