logo
Thane illegal mining: Bombay High Court orders recovery of over ₹190 crore penalty

Thane illegal mining: Bombay High Court orders recovery of over ₹190 crore penalty

The Hindu13 hours ago
The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to recover a total amount of ₹1,90,30,05,958 crore in penalties and royalties from a private quarry operator for illegal mining in Chinchavli village, located in the ecologically sensitive Ambernath region of Thane district. The order comes amid growing concern over environmental degradation and health risks faced by the tribal population in the area.
For nearly two decades, tribal residents of Chinchavli have lived under a cloud of dust, noise of explosives used to blast rocks as rampant quarrying scarred the hills, contaminated the air and water, and triggered multiple health complications. Earlier this year, The Hindu had reported on the long-standing mining activity and its toll on the village, drawing attention to the human and ecological costs.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activist Nandakumar Waman Pawar and resident of the area Bhaskar Warghada, who alleged that the quarry operator had violated environmental clearance conditions and exceeded the approved excavation area and volume. The site, spread across hilly terrain, was originally leased for mining minor minerals like basalt and earth under a plan permitting extraction of up to five lakh tonnes over five years.
The petition said Chinchavali village is a mountainous terrain with rich biodiversity. On February 23, 2015, Laxmi Stone Industries owned by Vishvanath Ramchandra Panvelkar, was granted quarry lease for a period of five years for extraction and sale of minor minerals of stone (all sizes) and ordinary earth on the said land. The lease was further renewed for a period of five years up to August 27, 2024. The mining plan reveals that one lakh tonnes per annum of basalt and weathered soil was supposed to be extracted for a period of five years totalling to five lakh tonnes. On November 19, 2019, environment clearance was granted in favour of the mining company.
The petition further said that the carried-out quarrying activity at the site was in violation of the provisions of Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction (Development and Regulation) Rules, 2013 and Environment Protection Act, 1986 and that the company exceeded the permissible area, exceeded the quantity of extracted mines and minerals. It is alleged that the company destroyed the mountainous terrain during the course of its mining activities.
An official inspection by the Thane Collector, using ETC (Electronic Total Station) machines, revealed significant over-excavation—amounting to over 1.3 lakh brass of material. Based on this, the Collector passed two separate orders in December 2024 and February 2025, imposing penalties of ₹10.71 crore and ₹179.58 crore respectively.
While dismissing the PIL on grounds of delay—the quarry lease was originally granted on August 25, 2009 — the court noted that penalty proceedings had already addressed the petitioner's core grievance. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne, directed the authorities to recover the dues unless stayed by a competent court.
The judgment also acknowledged satellite imagery and survey data showing mining beyond the permitted four hectares, with activity reportedly extending to 9.88 hectares. It directed the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, who heads the Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone monitoring committee, to file an affidavit on further violations.
'The Collector shall take appropriate action for recovery of the royalty as well as penalty for excess excavation carried out by Respondent No.8. This would however be subject to any challenge raised by Respondent to the penalty orders. The PIL Petition is accordingly disposed of,' the Bench said.
Mr. Pawar said, 'This is a major step toward justice for the tribal communities who have suffered silently for years. We hope the government ensures full recovery of penalties and restores the ecological balance of the region. The news report published on The Hindu added an extra layer of pressure on the collector to issue the order of penalty. However, the environmental restoration part has been undermined in the judgement and for that we plan to approach the Supreme Court along with the rights of Adivasis.'
Mr. Warghada speaking on behalf of the residents, expressed gratitude for the win. 'Living with sounds of blasts and dust for almost two decades, we had accepted our fate and given on any hope as for years, no authorities paid heed to our grievances. Reading The Hindu's report, the Mr. Panvelkar had approached us twice to convince us to settle the matter outside court. He offered us money in exchange of our ancestral homes and lands which we refused.'
The case marks a significant development in long-standing calls for environmental accountability in quarrying zones, particularly in areas inhabited by tribal communities. Civil society groups have welcomed the ruling as a critical step toward ensuring that violations are penalised and that such sensitive regions receive stronger regulatory oversight.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nandi Hills to get new glass-walled restaurant as tourist numbers climb: Report
Nandi Hills to get new glass-walled restaurant as tourist numbers climb: Report

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

Nandi Hills to get new glass-walled restaurant as tourist numbers climb: Report

The iconic Nandi Hills, one of Karnataka's most visited weekend getaways, is set to welcome a brand-new restaurant offering panoramic views and modern amenities, The Hindu reported. The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is developing a new 200-seater facility. The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is developing a new 200-seater facility, Mayura Sunrise, to meet the growing demands of tourism at the hilltop in Chikkaballapur district. According to the report, the project was officially launched when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid its foundation stone during a recent Cabinet session held on the hill itself, a symbolic gesture underscoring the government's focus on improving tourism infrastructure in the region. (Also Read: 'We are growing backwards': This viral 1980s Bengaluru photo leaves residents lamenting a lost city) The new restaurant is being built on the site of an older KSTDC structure that has now been demolished. The tourism body already operates the Mayura Pine Top hotel and restaurant nearby, but officials say the rising footfall has far outpaced its capacity, the report added. 'The existing facility can no longer handle the crowd. We're now building a modern restaurant with transparent glass windows that will allow visitors to enjoy the sunrise and valley views while dining,' said a senior KSTDC official according to the publication. According to data from the KSTDC, tourist numbers have surged in recent years. Around 19.48 lakh people visited Nandi Hills in 2023, and the number climbed to 21.32 lakh in 2024. Projections show the footfall could reach 23.35 lakh in 2025 and continue to rise to 31.98 lakh by 2028, growing at an estimated 9% annually, The Hindu reported. The restaurant is one of several key upgrades planned. A long-awaited ropeway project is expected to begin construction soon, and authorities are considering traffic curbs to protect the fragile hilltop. District in-charge Minister MC Sudhakar has proposed restricting private vehicle access, especially as part of the hilltop parking area is set to become a terminal for the ropeway. Tourist traffic to Nandi Hills has reached significant volumes during peak weekends. In December 2024 alone, over 12,700 vehicles and 21,000 two-wheelers made their way up the hill on weekends, raising concerns about congestion and environmental degradation.

PIL seeks public apology from Prada
PIL seeks public apology from Prada

Hindustan Times

time8 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

PIL seeks public apology from Prada

MUMBAI: The controversy over Italian luxury fashion house Prada showcasing footwear 'inspired' by Kolhapuri Chappals at the recent Milan Fashion Week has taken a legal turn. A model presents a creation from Prada Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection during the Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (REUTERS) A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court, accusing Prada of cultural appropriation as the 'Toe Ring Sandals/Leather Flat Sandals' it had showcased on June 22 were near-identical to the traditional, handcrafted footwear made by artisans in Kolhapur, in Maharashtra. Among other things, the petition has sought a public apology from Prada, and compensation for the artisans engaged in the craft. The petition, filed by Prof Adv Ganesh S Hingmire, alleges that the product's 'genuine origin, traditional custodianship and Geographical Indication (GI) status were entirely overlooked'. It sought protection and enforcement of the rights of the community associated with the product, along with compensation for the 'unauthorised commercialisation', which has caused 'significant harm' to the community traditionally associated with it. The petition has also urged the court to direct government entities to safeguard the economic interests and intellectual property rights of indigenous artisans, whose traditional crafts have been granted a Gl tag under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The petition contends that the design showcased by Prada did not acknowledge Indian artisans who have been making Kolhapuri Chappals for generations. 'The act of copying and misrepresenting this craft in international markets effectively amounts to depriving local artisans of rightful recognition and credit for their work, who have preserved and practiced this traditional art form for nearly 800 years in India,' the petition states. After the controversy broke, Prada issued a statement acknowledging that the slippers it had showcased had been 'inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage'. 'We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship,' the statement said. The PIL, however, alleges that 'cultural appropriation' of this nature amounts to more than aesthetic borrowing – it constitutes intellectual and economic exploitation. 'In the past, there have been multiple instances where international brands have imitated traditional Indian crafts without offering any acknowledgment or apology,' states Hingmire, an intellectual property rights advocate known for his contribution to Geographical Indication in India. It also urged the court to direct Prada to issue a public apology before the court, affirming its genuineness and ensuring that the apology is widely circulated through appropriate media, including but not limited to newspapers, digital platforms and the brand's official communication channels. The petition underlined the need to establish strong and decisive measures to 'address these violations and set an exemplary legal precedent that deters future acts of cultural misappropriation'. It also suggested the implementation of a permanent, comprehensive policy for international recognition of India's GIs, and the provision of legal and financial support for artisans to enforce their rights.

EPFO Website Down? How To Check PF Balance Via SMS, WhatsApp Or Missed Call In Seconds; Know Withdrawal Eligibility And Rules
EPFO Website Down? How To Check PF Balance Via SMS, WhatsApp Or Missed Call In Seconds; Know Withdrawal Eligibility And Rules

India.com

time10 hours ago

  • India.com

EPFO Website Down? How To Check PF Balance Via SMS, WhatsApp Or Missed Call In Seconds; Know Withdrawal Eligibility And Rules

photoDetails english 2926945 Updated:Jul 05, 2025, 11:04 AM IST Provident Fund (PF) 1 / 9 The Provident Fund (PF) is built through monthly contributions from both the employee and the employer. Being a government-backed long-term savings scheme, it earns annual interest that compounds over time into a significant corpus. It also acts as a financial safety net during emergencies like illness or job loss. PF Balance Check: No Need for Website or App 2 / 9 You no longer need to open the EPFO website or download any app to check your PF balance. These alternate methods are simple, quick, and completely free, making them ideal during server downtime. PF Balance Check: SMS Service 3 / 9 To check your PF balance via SMS, send a message in the format 'EPFOHO UAN HIN' from your registered mobile number to 7738299899. Here, 'UAN' is your Universal Account Number, and 'HIN' indicates the language. The SMS service supports over 10 Indian languages including Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali. Choose your preferred language by changing the last three letters in the SMS code. PF Balance Check: Missed Call Service 4 / 9 Dial a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. This is the simplest way to know your PF balance instantly. Make sure your UAN is activated and linked to your phone number. PF Balance Check: Instant SMS Reply 5 / 9 After giving the missed call, your call will disconnect automatically, and within seconds, you'll receive an SMS with your current PF balance and account details—no need for internet or manual inputs. PF Balance Check: WhatsApp Service 6 / 9 You can now check your PF balance via WhatsApp. Save your regional EPFO office's WhatsApp number and send a message like 'Hi' or 'PF Balance.' You'll receive your balance details through a chatbot response. To get the correct WhatsApp number for your regional EPFO office, visit: Choose your location and save the number to start checking via WhatsApp. PF Withdrawal Eligibility 7 / 9 To access EPFO services like SMS, missed call, or WhatsApp for checking PF balance, certain prerequisites must be met. First, your Universal Account Number (UAN) must be activated. Adding further, the mobile number linked to your UAN should be active and in working condition, as all notifications and balance details are sent to this number. It's also essential to link your UAN with KYC documents such as your Aadhaar, PAN card, bank account number, and IFSC code. These steps ensure seamless access to your PF account and enable hassle-free verification across all platforms. PF Withdrawal Limits and Rules 8 / 9 Employed members are allowed to withdraw up to 90% of their PF contributions, but the exact withdrawal limit depends on the reason for withdrawal and the number of years of service completed. For instance, partial withdrawals are permitted for specific purposes such as constructing a house, covering expenses during a medical emergency, or meeting costs related to education or marriage. Each of these situations has its own eligibility criteria and service duration requirements. Important Reminder 9 / 9 Ensure your mobile number is registered with EPFO and your UAN is activated. Without this, SMS, missed call, or WhatsApp services won't work. Contact your company's HR department for help with activation or registration.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store