Mizoram Stone quarry collapse: NGT constitutes committee, reprimands authorities

Aizawl, Nov 30: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday (Nov 30) directed to constitute a joint committee to be headed by the Chief Secretary, Mizoram with other members in connection to the Stone quarry collapse incident in Mizoram in which several people died.

 

 

 

 

"We express our regret that adequate sensitivity is not shown by the authorities in dealing with a human tragedy of such magnitude," the tribunal said. The Tribunal's bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, in an order passed on Nov 28, 2022, stated that the State Authorities may ensure disbursement of compensation to the victims by taking such coercive measures as may be necessary against the contractor firm, failing which the State itself will be liable for payment.

 

 

 

 

 

"State may also take appropriate stringent measures against violation of the law. Action to be taken by the State Authorities should include fixing responsibility for violating environment and safety norms, including in handling of explosive for blasting," the tribunal had said.

 

"A joint Committee to be headed by the Chief Secretary, Mizoram with other members including Regional Officer, MoEF & CC, Shillong Regional Officer, CPCB, Shillong, District Magistrate, Hnahthial, Member Secretary, State PCB, State Disaster Management Authority, Secretary, Geology and Mining Department, Mizoram, the nominee of Petroleum, Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), nominees of Chief Controller of Explosive, Nagpur and IIT Dhanbad, to present a 'factual and action taken' report in the matter with recommendations to prevent such disasters in future within one month," the NGT ordered.