Srinagar, Sep 21(KNS) : The Jammu and Kashmir government has admitted that an environmental compensation of Rs 3.10 crore imposed on M/S NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd. for violating environmental clearance norms during riverbed mining in the Shaliganga stream remains unrecovered, even as the firm has challenged the penalty in the High Court.

In a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Ali Mohammad Dar (Chadoora) in the Assembly, the Mining Department stated that the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) imposed the fine for illegal extraction in the Shaliganga Nallah at Panzan and adjoining areas of Chadoora.

The government confirmed that while the penalty was imposed pursuant to Supreme Court directions regarding minor minerals, the amount has not been deposited by the company despite the lapse of more than seven months.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Detailing the reasons for the delay, the reply stated that instead of paying the fine, M/S NKC Projects has filed a writ petition before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh challenging the imposition of the compensation. The government noted that the matter is currently sub-judice.

However, to enforce recovery, the government informed the House that the JKPCC has formally written to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The committee has requested the NHAI to withhold and directly recover the environmental compensation amount from the pending bills and payments of M/S NKC Project Private Limited. (KNS)