Fw: Supreme Court Comes to rescue of Kashmir's Rivers ?
Sandeep Pandey
Sanjay Gadhalay
Here’s what I found regarding NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd. on two key fronts—environmental concerns and political alignments:
Environmental Reputation & Concerns
1. Illegal Riverbed Mining & Regulatory Response
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NGT Intervention (2022): NKC Projects was critically flagged for unauthorized riverbed mining in the Shali Ganga stream, Budgam district, Jammu & Kashmir. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruled that the environmental clearance granted was flawed—citing violations of Jammu & Kashmir’s Minor Mineral Rules (2016) and Sand Mining guidelines. The company was restrained from conducting further mining .
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Use of Heavy Machinery: Despite restrictions, NKC admitted to using JCBs and loaders, which contravened the clearance terms. The NGT emphasized that such machinery demonstrated active excavation, reinforcing the illegal nature of the operations .
2. Continued Violations & Heavy Penalty (2025)
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Assembly Action & Fine: In March 2025, the Deputy Chief Minister of J&K informed the Legislative Assembly that NKC had been fined ₹80 lakh for unauthorized extraction of ~300 metric tons of riverbed material without required permits. Machinery was seized, and operations were ordered halted .
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Shifting Operations to Sukhnag Stream: Even after being stopped in Shali Ganga, NKC reportedly moved mining to the Sukhnag stream, a ecologically fragile trout habitat—also allegedly without proper environmental clearance. Local activists claim ongoing unauthorized operations, hinting at deeper regulatory complicity .
3. Judicial Vindication—Supreme Court Ruling (2025)
- On August 22, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the NGT’s ban on NKC's riverbed mining in Shali Ganga, dismissing appeals by NKC, NHAI, and the J&K government. The Court strongly criticized lax processes by the Environmental Impact Assessment Authority and Expert Appraisal Committee, especially regarding District Survey Reports and lack of replenishment data .
4. Contradictory CSR Statements
- NKC’s corporate website highlights commitments to environmental conservation, rural transformation, safe drinking water, and public welfare under its CSR program . However, the repeated regulatory violations and judicial orders starkly contrast with these stated values—raising concerns over greenwashing or inconsistent policy enforcement.
Political Alignments & Influence
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No Direct Political Affiliation: There’s no credible information linking NKC Projects to any political party or ideological leaning. Searches did not reveal any overt political alignment, electoral contributions, or strategic lobbying.
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Institutional Connections via Infrastructure Contracts: NKC holds significant contracts—such as the Srinagar Semi-Ring Road—that involve public institutions like NHAI and state agencies. While typical in large-scale infrastructure firms, these project relationships might naturally align the company with government priorities. However, such alignments are operational, not ideological.
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Regulatory Controversy and Bureaucratic Involvement: The repeated mining infractions and the need for judicial oversight suggest that NKC might have benefited from bureaucratic allowance or inaction—not necessarily political favoritism. Yet, no reports tie the company to political patronage or campaign involvement.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Findings |
|---|---|
| Environmental Reputation | Negative: Multiple legal rulings against unauthorized riverbed mining. Criminal fines and machinery seizures. Supreme Court upheld ban. |
| CSR vs Practice | Discrepancy: CSR claims strongly contradict documented environmental violations. |
| Political Alignment | None Found: No overt connection to political parties or electoral influence. |
| Institutional Relations | Operational ties via infrastructure contracts—expected in the sector, but not ideological alignment. |
Final Thoughts
NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd. faces a serious environmental reputation challenge, marked by repeated infringement of riverbed mining laws—vindicated by both the NGT and the Supreme Court. Their CSR claims currently lack credibility given these violations.
On the political front, there's no public evidence of partisan alignment. Their association with government infrastructure projects appears to be typical business operations, not political positioning.
Let me know if you’d like to explore further—perhaps a closer look at the project contracts or environmental impact reports!
Sanjay Gadhalay
Ind +91 9849454569 /
Too little too late. Sandeep bhai...Warm regards,
Sanjay Gadhalay
Ind +91 9849454569 /+9140 2784 8837/0171sgadhalay skype : sg_europe_de twitter :sanjay gadhalayYou are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. : Steve Jobs__________________________________Infinite patience, infinite purity, and infinite perseverance are the secret of success in a good cause. :Swami vivekananda
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