NGT directs member secys of SEIAA & state pollution board to appear in person

Cuttack: The east zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the personal appearance of the member secretaries of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Odisha, and of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in a case challenging the grant of environmental clearance to a stone quarry in Dhenkanal district.In its Feb 24 order, which was uploaded on the NGT website on Feb 27, the bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh said, “In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, we consider personal appearance of the member secretary, SEIAA, Odisha and the member secretary, OSPCB before this tribunal to be essential for assisting this tribunal in just and proper adjunction of the questions involved in the case.

”“Accordingly they are directed to remain present before this Tribunal on the next date of hearing physically or through video conferencing with relevant record,” the bench ordered.The direction came while considering an appeal filed by local resident Sanjib Dhal against the environmental clearance, dated Dec 29, 2025, granted to a private lessee for the Tolarpasi road metal (black stone) quarry spread over 12.25 acres under Gondia tehsil in Dhenkanal.

Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy made the submissions on behalf of Dhal.Admitting the matter, the bench observed, “Prima facie there is no ground to dismiss the appeal at this stage and the present first appeal being a matter of right under the provisions of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, is admitted for hearing.” The case has been posted for further hearing on March 10, 2026.In his appeal, Dhal contended that the EC was issued without complying with the tribunal’s earlier order (given on Oct 13, 2025), directing SEIAA, Odisha and the deputy director of mines (Talcher) to consider his grievance as a representation and pass appropriate orders within three months.He alleged illegal blasting, excess mining and vegetation clearance by the lessee, claiming the operator, “in collusion with government authorities has been operating most of the stone quarries in the areas and responsible for damage to the local ecology and environment.” The appeal also states that the quarry has already reached the maximum permissible depth of six metres.The bench issued notices seeking reply to the chief secretary, the collector and district magistrate of Dhenkanal, the deputy director of mines (Talcher) and the private lessee, besides the member secretaries.