Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vikrant Tongad Vs Union of India & Others dated 11/12/2018 regarding environmental clearance before grant of lease of minor minerals.

[2]

Supreme Court in its Order Dated 27/02/2012 [3] had directed for proper Environmental Clearance before grant of lease of minor minerals, including sand mining which was reiterated by NGT's Judgement of 13/09/2018. But in the Notification dated 15/01/2016 issued by MoEF&CC, environmental clearance was to be given by the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) which the Applicant says defeat the direction of the Supreme Court.

National Green Tribunal directs the MoEF&CC to comply with the order dated 13/09/2018 forthwith and furnish a report of compliance on or before 31/12/2018 failing which coercive measures may have to be taken. Further till a fresh Notification is issued by the MoEF&CC, Notification dated 15/01/2016 will not be acted upon. This direction will apply to all the State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities/State Governments.