Telangana HC allows farmer to challenge quarrying permissions in Ranga Reddy

The Telangana High Court allowed a farmer to challenge Pollution Control Board consent orders for quarrying, stone-crushing and blasting at Akuthotapally. It said contempt proceedings could be initiated if the activities began contrary to the Government counsel’s submission

Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy and Justice Gadi Praveen Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday granted liberty to a petitioner to approach the appropriate appellate authority challenging the consent orders issued by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board in connection with quarrying, stone crushing and blasting activities at Akuthotapally Village in Amangal Mandal of Ranga Reddy district.

The Division Bench was hearing a petition filed by farmer Anji Reddy, alleging that the authorities had failed to effectively regulate quarrying, stone crushing and blasting activities being undertaken in Survey Nos. 302 and 304 of Akuthotapally Village. Counsel appearing for the petitioner contended that permissions had been granted without a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact and without considering the cumulative impact of other mining operations in the surrounding areas.

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During the hearing, the Government counsel submitted that no quarrying or related activities had commenced at the site. Taking note of the submission, the Division Bench clarified that the petitioner was at liberty to challenge the consent orders issued by the Pollution Control Board before the appropriate appellate authority. The Bench further observed that if the activities were commenced contrary to the submission made before the Court, the petitioner would be at liberty to directly initiate contempt proceedings. Recording the above submissions and granting liberty to the petitioner to avail the appropriate legal remedy, the Court disposed of the proceedings.