CWP No. 22220 of 2011 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 22220 of 2011 Date of decision:- 30.11.2011 Karam Singh and others. ...... Petitioners Vs State of Punjab and others. ......Respondents CORAM:-HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RANJAN GOGOI, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT Present: Mr. Rajeev Dev Sharma, Advocate, for the petitioners. * * * * RANJAN GOGOI, C.J. (ORAL) This PIL has been filed seeking to challenge the allotment of common land of village Anerh to the respondents No. 8 to 12 for operating stone crushers by installation of necessary machinery and equipment. According to the petitioners, such crushing work is being done in the vicinity of cultivable land of the petitioners and other inhabitants and the same is being undertaken by digging the agricultural land as a result of which large scale harm to the environment is being caused. The petitioners have also drawn the attention of the Court that as per the norms in force crushing machines cannot be installed within 500 meters of the village, whereas, the present crushers installed by the respondents No. 8 to 12 are within 500 meters. The representations filed by the petitioners before the Deputy Commissioner, Pathankot on 16.09.2011 and 30.10.2011 have remained CWP No. 22220 of 2011 2 unanswered leaving the petitioners with no option but to approach this Court by way of the present PIL. We have taken note of the grievances raised and the points urged on behalf of the petitioners, which if correct, would furnish the petitioners with a sound and reasonable basis to seek interference of the Court. However, such a determination can only be made after hearing the respondents impleaded in the present petition. Instead of adopting the aforesaid course of action, we are of the view that it will be appropriate in the facts of the present case and it will also be expedient to require the Deputy Commissioner, Pathankot to dispose of the petitioners' representations dated 16.09.2011 (Annexure P5) and 30.10.2011 (Annexure P6) forthwith and in any case within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of this order. In so far as environmental pollution is concerned, the petitioners may approach the Punjab Pollution Control Board for necessary inspection and verification whereupon and if so advised the Pollution Control Board will carry out an inspection of the site and regulate the stone crushing operations in the manner contemplated by law. This will dispose of the PIL. If the petitioners continue to feel aggrieved by such action as may be taken pursuant to the present direction, undoubtedly, it will be open for them to approach this Court once again. (RANJAN GOGOI) CHIEF JUSTICE (SURYA KANT) JUDGE 30.11.2011 Amodh