The Rajasthan High Court has directed an immediate halt to the issuance of new gypsum mining permits in seven villages of Pachpadra tehsil in Balotra district, where mining was allegedly conducted under the guise of agricultural land improvement.
Details of the Stay Order
The stay applies to the villages of Vajawas, Bhimarlai, Sinli Jagir, Rikharlai, Mekarna, Gol, and Khar Ki Dhani. The order was issued on Thursday by a Division Bench comprising Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Nupur Bhati while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the administrators and sarpanches of gram panchayats Sinli Jagir and Vajawas, along with residents Shankarram and Sumer Lal Sain. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on July 10.
Allegations of Irregularities
According to the petitioners, an inquiry report dated April 24 by Dharamendra Lohar, Additional Director (Vigilance) of the Mines and Geology Department in Udaipur, acknowledged serious irregularities in gypsum excavation. During spot inspections at Bhimarlai, Vajawas, and Khar Ki Dhani, authorities examined 13 gypsum permit areas and found mining being conducted beyond the legally permissible depth of 3 meters from the surface. In some locations, excavation was allegedly carried out up to 6 meters deep.
The petitioners argued that such illegal mining poses environmental risks and violates mining regulations. The court's stay order aims to prevent further unauthorized extraction until the matter is fully examined.
