One-man inquiry commission headed by Justice BP Katakey to conduct public hearing

TINSUKIA: After the Governor of Assam constituted a one-man inquiry commission headed by Justice BP Katakey, former Judge, Gauhati High Court, to inquire into the illegal activities undertaken by an organization or individual in and around Saleki Proposed Reserved Forest (PRF) under Digboi Forest Division, including the Tikok Open Cast Project of Coal India Limited (North Eastern Coalfields) and other illegal mining activities, the Commission will conduct public hearing at Margherita Development Block Conference Hall, Margherita on December 26 and December 27 from 10:30 AM onwards.

The Commission will visit the areas of Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest and Tikok OCP on December 25 from 10:30 AM onwards. Any person or organization, interested in the matter under inquiry may be present during the site visit and also during the public hearing to be held.

The DIPRO Tinsukia in a press release stated that written statements and documents desired to be submitted by any individual/organization, other than those who have already submitted their written statements/documents shall be received on those days. The terms of reference would include enquiring and assessing the extent of illegal mining activities, impact of such activities, if any, on the flora and fauna generally found in and around the aforesaid forest area and to enquire into and fix responsibility upon government officials of any department fund involved in commission of any illegal mining or any other illegal activity in commission or abetment of the aforesaid forest area, besides suggesting measures for recovery of loss, if any, caused due to unlawful coal mining activity under the jurisdiction of Digboi Forest Division, either in the form of rent, royalty, penalty, land arrears or tax.

The inquiry will look into and suggest measures to be taken for restoration, rehabilitation and reclamation of the areas damaged due to illegal coal mining and ancillary activities, if any, and approximate amount of costs to be incurred for such purpose and to ensure and identify organization(s) and individual(s) responsible for undertaking such illegal mining activities, if any, in and around the aforesaid forest area.

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