The State Government on Wednesday banned setting up of brick kilns along riversides within the stipulated area and instructed all the district administration including the revenue officials at the grassroots level to stop such illegal units and also to ensure prevention of theft of minor minerals.
In a circular to the district Collectors, the Revenue Department while instructing them to follow the order warned that any unauthorised functioning of brick kilns and theft of minor minerals would be treated with all seriousness.
“Personal accountability shall be fixed against the local Tehsildars and Revenue Inspectors and Supervisors for dereliction of duty,” the order said.
The department also asked the Collectors to invoke criminal prosecution against the illegal brick kilns and the offenders in the cases of minor minerals.
In view of the erosion of river embankments causing floods and other environmental threats due to the unauthorised brick kilns by unscrupulous persons, the Revenue Department basing on the Forest and Environment Department’s direction said that no brick kilns would be allowed within 250 meters of the flood embankments. Besides, it said that wherever flood embankments do not exist, no brick kilns shall be set up within 500 meters from the nearest riverbank.
The Revenue Department admitted that despite penalty and rent from the encroachers as a deterrent measure to prevent the recurrence, the owners of brick kilns continue with their business in gross violation of prevailing laws.
Due to lack of adequate actions on the part of the field functionaries of the Revenue Department against the offenders under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and in spite of provisions of imprisonment of five years and fine of Rs 1 lakh for violation of Section -5 of the Act, the illegal activities continue, the order said and asked the Collectors to review the situation and take steps for initiation of criminal
prosecution against the offenders.