Mines Ministry Tells NGT It Has No Role in Punjab River Desilting

The Union Ministry of Mines has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking to have its name removed from a petition that challenges Punjab’s river desilting projects. In its application, the ministry argues that it has no statutory authority to regulate, monitor or grant approvals for such activities, which it says fall solely within the jurisdiction of the Punjab government.

The NGT, a statutory body established to address environmental disputes, has been hearing the petition that raises concerns about the ecological impact of desilting operations on the state’s rivers. While the petition does not name specific parties, it targets the Punjab government’s recent initiatives to clear sediment from waterways, a move that has sparked debate among environmentalists and local communities.

The mines ministry’s submission asserts that its mandate is limited to the exploration and extraction of minerals, and that it does not possess the legal power to intervene in river management matters. By asking the tribunal to strike its name from the petition, the ministry is emphasizing the clear division of responsibilities between the central and state governments in environmental governance.

Legal experts note that the NGT’s jurisdiction includes examining whether any authority, including central ministries, has a role in environmental clearances. However, the mines ministry’s position reflects a broader principle that states retain primary control over water resource management unless a central law explicitly confers additional powers.

If the tribunal grants the ministry’s request, the petition will proceed without the central government’s involvement, potentially streamlining the legal process but also narrowing the scope of environmental scrutiny. Critics argue that excluding a central agency could limit the depth of analysis, especially given the ecological significance of the rivers involved.

The development comes amid ongoing discussions about how best to balance development needs with environmental protection in Punjab. As the NGT deliberates, the outcome will determine whether the ministry’s involvement is deemed essential or extraneous in the state’s efforts to manage its river systems.

Source: Hindustan Times