3 brick kilns operate on horticultural land; authorities unmoved
Authorities have failed to cancel the licenses of three brick kilns and suspend their “illegal” operations on the horticultural land since last year at village Gariend Khurd in Budgam district.Despite resentment from the local residents three brick kilns have been set up on the 1500 kanals of horticulture land at the cost of thousands of apple, almond and other fruit trees and are running in brazen violation of The Jammu and Kashmir Brick Kilns (Regulation) Act, 2010.
Locals allege that the owners of these brick kilns have obtained licenses “illegally” from the district authorities and established these kilns on the horticultural land against the law.
They said the kilns were not only running on the horticultural land but very close to the residential houses and schools of the village. “These brick kilns have become an annoyance for us. They have turned a bigger cause of pollution and pose a major threat to the whole village populace,” said the villagers.
According to the Act, no brick kiln can be established on the agricultural land, or the land which is fit for cultivation of any agriculture produce, and on the land which has not been declared Banjar-e-Kadeem (barren) in the revenue records or is within the forest area of the State under the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act 1987.
The Act further says that authorities should take it in due consideration that kiln is not detrimental to the health of general public, habitation, water resources, flora and fauna.
However, under the “brick kiln mafia” running in Budgam the kiln owners have got the licenses “illegally” and started these kilns on the Bacchi Wudur, in village.
The residents said despite the adverse reports by the concerned departments including Pollution Control Board, Horticultural and Agricultural departments of Budgam against the setting up of these brick kilns, and directions to stop operating the kilns, they are running without any hassle for more than a year now.
“We want Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Asgar Samoon to order an inquiry to find out how, despite the adverse report from the concerned departments, the owners got licenses to start these brick kilns,” he said.
The residents further said the whole population was living under threat as runaway water from these kilns finds its way through the houses of the villagers.
“Last time the runaway water of these kilns caused havoc when it hit several houses and poultry farms causing death of thousands of birds,” said the villagers.
They said after complaint by the residents, police had registered a case (FIR No. 424/13 in Police Station Budgam under sections 420, 277, 278, 435, 188 RPC and 16 and 21 Brick Kilns (regulations) Act 2010), but neither any action was taken to arrest the ‘brick kiln mafia’, nor did the operations of these kilns stopped.
Following the residents’ complaint Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir office had sought a report thrice last year from the district authorities over the “illegal functioning” of these kilns, but residents said Budgam district authorities have failed to submit the response so far.
Deputy Commissioner, Budgam Altaf Ahmad said inquiry was started following the complaint by the residents. “I am myself inquiring into the matter which will be completed in a week. If kilns are found operating illegally and against the norms we will suspend licenses and stop their operations,” said the Deputy Commissioner.
