The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has distanced itself from allegations of fake e-Ravana permits being used to facilitate illegal mining for boulders, gravel and sand in Bilaspur block, telling the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that verification of the permits and any alleged misuse of the e-Ravana portal falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the state’s mines and geology department.
In its response, however, the pollution control board did not verify or refute the allegations. Instead, it categorically stated that determining whether the e-Ravana bills were genuine and examining any misuse of the portal was the responsibility of the mines and geology department. The board also clarified the status of the Dhanaura mining block mentioning that the mining contract awarded to a private firm remained suspended from June 22, 2023, to February 18, 2025, after which the suspension was revoked by the director general, mines and geology.
Because its contract was under suspension, meanwhile, over the issue of replenishment studies, the board said the mining unit remained non-operational during 2024. It therefore said no replenishment study was required or conducted that year and the board relied on a 2025 replenishment study conducted by the mines and geology department.The reply comes after the NGT recorded that the applicant had alleged mining without a valid CTO during part of the period from September 2024 to September 2025 and mining without a valid replenishment study.
“Accordingly, the said allegations do not fall within the jurisdiction of the respondent board,” the HSPCB said in its reply.
