Jammu : A Public Hearing was organized on Monday at Panchayat Ghar, Dhok Khalsa, Akhnoor for 5/22, 5/23, 5/24 and 5/26 minor mineral Blocks situated at Jad Khud in terms of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India for eliciting view-points and suggestions of the locals and other stakeholders for renewal of environmental clearance of minor mineral mining project for above mentioned blocks.
The panel of Public Hearing was headed by Harvinder Singh, Additional DC Jammu and comprised Dr. Gulshan Kumar, District Mineral Officer, Geology and Mining department Jammu, Bader Hussain, Divisional Officer JK PCC Udhampur representing Regional Director JKPCC Jammu and Anil Sharma, Divisional Officer, JKPCC Jammu North.
The Additional DC Jammu gave a patient hearing to the issues raised during the public hearing and assured the gathering that mining will be carried out in legal, scientific and transparent manner. 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 the purpose of conducting 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 above blocks and replied to the queries raised by the public during the proceedings.
Bader Hussain, Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Committee, Udhampur represented on behalf of Regional Office, JKPCC Jammu also briefed the participants during the public hearing.
The public representatives including Vice Chairman DDC Jammu, Suraj Singh Bhau and DDC Member Bharat Bhushan Baral, Sarpanches, Naib Sarpanch, Ex-Sarpanches and other prominent citizens also presented their viewpoints and suggestions before the panel.
Project Consultant of M/s Vitasta Enviro Services Pvt Ltd Jaipur, gave the details about salient features of the EIA and mining project for block no. 22/5 whereas M/s P and M Solutions Noida, UP for block no. 5/23, 5/24 and 5/26.
Vote of thanks to the chair was presented by Dimple Sharma, FI Divisional Officer PCC Jammu North. In addition to the Public Hearing programme, a pledge was taken to promote Mission Life Campaign 2023.
