BHOPAL: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) appointed by the Supreme Court has asked the Madhya Pradesh Government to ensure that no sand mining is carried out in the National Chambal Sanctuary in violation of the apex court's orders.

CEC Member-Secretary M.K. Jiwrajka has written to Madhya Pradesh chief secretary Rakesh Sahni raising the issue of illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and asked the State Government to comply with the Supreme Court's earlier order in this regard.

Enclosing a copy of the report that appeared in The Hindu dated October 15 regarding illegal sand mining, Mr. Jiwrajka wrote to the Chief Secretary that the CEC had taken suo motu note of that report during a hearing on October 16.

The Conservator of Forests responsible for the Chambal area and the State Counsel were present during this hearing. The CEC has observed: "Apparently the sand mining is being carried out in the Sanctuary area in violation of the Supreme Court' s order dated 14.2.2000 in IA No. 548 W.P. (C) No. 202/95."

The Chief Secretary has also been asked to get the matter enquired into immediately and send a detailed report.