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Madras High CourtWP/29998/2023disposed of

S.Jothi v. The Chairman

2023-10-16Honourable Mrs Justice J. Nisha Banu,Honourable Mrs Justice N. Mala6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16.10.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE J.NISHA BANU and THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE N.MALA W.P.No. 29998 of 2023 and W.M.P.No. 29626 of 2023 S.Jothi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Chairman Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, No.76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai~600 032.

2.State Environment Impact Assessment Authority No.9, Jeenis Road Saidapet, Chennai 15 3.The District Collector Salem District Salem

4. The Deputy Director Department of Geology and Mining Salem ... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 4th respondent to permit the petitioner herein to carry on quarrying operation in the land measuring 1.00.0 Hectares, Page No:1/6

comprised in Survey No.383/2B (Part), Erumapalayam Village, Salem Taluk, Salem District by issuing necessary transport permits until the date of expiry of environmental clearance obtained from the District Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority vide Lr.No.DEIAADIA/TN/MIN/18952/2018-SLM-E.C.No.59/2018 dated 07.12.2018 i.e 07.03.2024, without insisting environmental clearance appraised by SEIAA.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.P. Sengottuvel Senior Counsel for Mr. P.S. Prabhu For Respondents : Mrs. Shanmugavalli Sekar for R1 Standing Counsel Mr. K.Srinivasamoorthy Central Government Standing Counsel Mrs. Mythreye Chandru Special Government Pleader for R3&R4

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by J.Nisha Banu,J.) The petitioner was granted quarry lease on 08.03.2019 and the same was granted for a period of five (5) years from 08.03.2019 to 07.03.2024. The Environmental clearance for the said project was granted by the District Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA). The clearance that was granted was co-terminus with the grant of the lease i.e. the clearance is valid till 07.03.2024.

Page No:2/6

2.The petitioner submitted his application for consent to operate under The Air ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the same came to be granted by the 1st respondent vide Proceedings dated 06.05.2019 and renewed vide Consent Order dated 07.04.2023. In the meantime, the DEIAA was abolished and the power was vested with the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority. An order was passed by the National Green Tribunal in O.A.No.142 of 2022 directing all clearances given by DEIAA to be reappraised by SEAC/SEIAA. This order was passed on 07.12.2022. 3.On account of the fact the re-appraisal was not done by the SEIAA, clearance was not given. Hence the present Writ Petition.

4. On the above submissions, Mr.K.Srinivasamoorthy, learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the SEIAA submits that it will take minimum period of three (3) weeks for re-appraisal. He would further submit that the petitioner has to apply for re-appraisal well within the time, along with the hard copy of the application, which has not been done by the Page No:3/6

petitioner till date.

5. In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the submission of the petitioner that the 4th respondent refused to issue transport permit for the petitioner's quarry despite holding a valid Environment Clearance as on date and necessary Consent to Operate, from the 1st respondent and also taking into consideration that the environmental clearance is valid upto 07.03.2024, we permit the petitioner to quarry till 07.03.2024 for which he has a valid consent from the Pollution Control Board as well as from DEIAA. We make it clear that all the conditions stipulated by the Pollution Control Board and DEIAA must be strictly complied with. In the meantime, the petitioner has to apply for re-appraisal before the SEIAA with all relevant documents, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. If the petitioner applies for extension of lease, this order will not enure in his favour, for its co-terminus with the DEIAA approval i.e. Till 07.03.2024. The petitioner will not be entitled to quarry after the said date Page No:4/6

without clearance from the Pollution Control Board and SEIAA and a valid lease.

7. This writ petition is disposed of on the above terms. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (J.N.B.,J.) (N.M.,J.) 16.10.2023 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Jer To 1.The Chairman Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, No.76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

2.The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority No.9, Jeenis Road Saidapet, Chennai 15 3.The District Collector Salem District Salem

4. The Deputy Director Department of Geology and Mining Salem Page No:5/6

J.NISHA BANU,J.

and N.MALA,J.

Jer W.P.No. 29998 of 2023 and W.M.P.No. 29626 of 2023 16.10.2023 Page No:6/6