Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 15 June 2024
Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman has levied a substantial penalty for the illegal extraction and transportation of 1500 cubic meters (CBM) of earth from Sitanagar village in Diglipur Tehsil. This action follows a detailed field report from Tehsildar Diglipur and a team of Revenue Officials, which highlighted the unauthorised activity.
The illegal extraction, carried out without the requisite permissions, violates the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Minor Mineral Rules, 2012. According to the Tehsildar’s comprehensive report, the earth was extracted for construction purposes, breaching the regulatory framework governing mineral resources in the region.
Under Section 201(6) of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Regulation, 1966, and Rule 34 of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Minor Minerals Rules, 2012, unauthorised extraction and sale of minerals incur severe penalties. The Tehsildar’s assessment confirmed the unauthorised extraction of 1500 CBM of earth, valued at Rs. 4,50,000/-. Consequently, the penalty has been set at double this market value, amounting to Rs. 9,00,000/-.
In response to these findings, the District Administration has ordered the responsible agency to deposit the penalty amount of Rs. 9,00,000/- with the Cashier at the District Office of North and Middle Andaman. Additionally, the respondents have been cautioned against future violations, with this penalty serving as a stern reminder to adhere to the law.
The enforcement of this penalty underscores the District Administration’s commitment to maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting the region’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.