The Andhra Pradesh high court on Thursday severely snubbed the Central government for including three state government officials in the expert committee constituted to inspect the alleged illegal digging of Rishikonda hills in Visakhapatnam for constructing guest houses.
The division bench of the high court comprising chief justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and justice N Jayasurya ordered removal of three state government officials from the panel constituted by the Union ministry of environment and forests.
Charging the Union ministry with colluding with the state government, the bench called for the constitution of a five-member committee of central experts and asked them to a comprehensive survey of the Rishikonda hill. It directed that the committee submit its report by January 31.
Soon after, Union minister of state for environment and forests Ashwini Kumar warned the state government that the Centre would take stringent action if it is proved that there are environmental violations in digging Rishikonda hills.
He said the Centre had all the right to take action against the state for environmental protection.
“The committee constituted following the orders of the high court will examine all aspects of excavation of Rishikonda hills. If there are any violations, we shall take stringent action,” the minister said.