KATHUA: A panel headed by Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rahul Yadav today held a public hearing for eliciting opinions, viewpoints and suggestions of the locals and other stakeholders for environmental clearance of minor mineral mining project at Johad Khad here at Ghatti.
The other panellists included District Mineral Officer-Kathua, Bodh Raj, Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Committee, Kathua Anil Sharma, and Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Committee, Samba Sanjay Rathore.
The public hearing was for a mining block 23 spread over a total area of 6.31 ha and situated at Johad Khad of Kathua district in terms of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
The Deputy Commissioner, who headed the panel conducting the Public Hearing, informed the audience that it is the endeavour of the UT administration to ensure that the mining activity is carried out in scientific manner only. He said that the purpose of conducting the public hearing was to hear the views of the people of surrounding areas regarding the proposed mining project.
He also informed the audience that anybody want to register their issues regarding the proposed minor mineral project before the panel, may do so and the same shall be sent to JK Environment Impact Assessment Authority (JKEIAA), who while taking into consideration those issues, shall take a final decision in the matter.
The DC said that all the mining project related issues raised in the public hearing will be submitted to JKEIAA for consideration so that those issues are appropriately addressed before the grant of Environmental Clearance.
Various public representatives viz. BDC Barnoti Brijeshwar Singh, Sarpanchs and Naib Sarpanchs of the area also presented their viewpoints and suggestions before the panel.