Jammu : A Public Hearing was on Tuesday organized by JKPCC for mining Blocks 5/29, 5/31 and 5/33 situated at Khourwali Khad, Kharah Balli. The Public Hearing was conducted in terms of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
The panel of Public Hearing was headed by Harvinder Singh, Additional DC Jammu with Dr. Gulshan Kumar, District Mineral Officer, Jammu, Bader Hussain; Divisional Officer PCC Udhampur representing Regional Director Jammu and Anil Sharma, Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Committee, Jammu North.
Harvinder Singh, Additional DC Jammu listened patiently to the issues raised during the public hearing and said that it is the endeavor of the government to ensure that the mining activity is carried out only as per guidelines of the Mining department and assured the gathering that mining will be allowed to be carried out in legal, scientific and transparent manner only. He said that the purpose of conducting the public hearing is to hear the views of the people of surrounding areas regarding the renewal of EC of the existing three blocks. He also assured that all the important points raised by the people during the public hearing are recorded and sent to Competent Authority i.e. JKEIAA for consideration so that those issues are appropriately addressed before the grant of Environmental Clearance.
Anil Sharma, Divisional officer, PCC Jammu North, in his opening address apprised the general public that it is the endeavor of the government to ensure that the mining activity is carried out in a scientific manner. He stated that for river bed mining projects, having an area more than 5 ha, requires mandatory Public Hearing before renewal of Environmental Clearance. He said that the purpose of conducting the public hearing was to hear the views of the people of surrounding areas regarding the mining block for renewal of Environmental Clearance.
Dr. Gulshan Kumar, DMO Jammu informed that the current public hearing is for the grant of renewal of EC for three blocks. He also responded to the queries raised by the public during the proceedings.
Bader Hussain, Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Committee, Udhampur representing Regional Director, JKPCC Jammu, also briefed the public about the importance of conducting Public Hearing and role of JKPCC.
Various public representatives viz. DDC Member Bhushan Sharma, Block Bhalwal Brahmana, Sarpanches, Ex-Sarpanches, Naib Sarpanches and prominent citizens of the area of different panchayats presented their view points and suggestions before the panel. Project Consultant of M/s Vitasta Enviro Services Pvt Ltd Jaipur namely Sameer Singh gave the details about the salient features of the EIA and mining project.
Vote of thanks to the chair was presented by Dimple Sharma, FI Divisional Officer PCC Jammu North. In addition to the above Public Hearing programme, a pledge was also taken for Mission Life Campaign 2023.
