JSW Steel Faces Investigation Over Illegal Construction
• Sprouts SIT Exposes JSW’s Alleged Forest Land Encroachment
• Sprouts SIT Exposes JSW
• JSW’s Forest Land Grab
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Raigad authorities have ordered a joint probe into JSW Steel’s alleged illegal construction on reserved forest land in Alibag. The inspection follows a forest department report detailing unauthorized work since 2009. Complainant Sanjay Gangaram Sawant, a member of Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT), will participate in the site verification process.
In a significant development, the Raigad District Collector has mandated a joint site inspection concerning alleged illegal constructions by JSW Steel Ltd. on reserved forest land in Alibag. The directive, issued to the Alibag Sub-Divisional Office and the Mangrove Cell, orders a thorough investigation at Mouje Jui Bapuji, Survey No. 50/D.
The inspection team is required to include complainant Sanjay Gangaram Sawant, a member of the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT), ensuring transparency. A comprehensive report featuring spot verification, a factual panchnama, and geo-tagged photographs must be submitted to the Assistant Conservator of Forests.
This action aligns with a broader crackdown on encroachments following landmark Supreme Court directives. The alleged violations by the industrial giant spotlight ongoing tensions between industrial expansion and environmental conservation in ecologically sensitive coastal regions.
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The Core of the JSW Forest Land Allegations
The land under scrutiny, Government-owned Survey No. 50/D at Jui Bapuji, is officially classified as reserved forest. The probe was triggered by a damning report from the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Alibag, dated November 13, 2019. This official document alleges that JSW Steel has been conducting non-forest activities on this protected land without permission since 2009.
According to the report, the company’s unauthorized work includes land reclamation and filling in vital mangrove areas to facilitate project expansion. Specific violations cited include earth filling completed before January 28, 2010, the construction of a retaining wall on November 6, 2011, and the pouring of cement concrete foundations for a conveyor belt between October 2017 and April 2018. These findings were corroborated by earlier reports from September 2018.
Supreme Court Directives Drive Environmental Accountability
The Raigad investigation gains immense weight from a recent order by a three-judge Supreme Court bench. Justices B.R. Gavai, Augustine George Masih, and K. Vinod Chandran have issued sweeping directions to all states and Union Territories concerning reserved forest land misuse. The apex court has mandated the establishment of special investigation teams to probe all forest lands allotted for non-forest use.
The Court’s order requires states to reclaim illegally used lands and return them to the Forest Department. Furthermore, it dictates that if violations are confirmed, the land cost must be recovered from the concerned companies or individuals. These funds are to be exclusively used for forest conservation and development initiatives, setting a powerful precedent for environmental accountability.
In direct response to these national directives, complainant Sanjay Sawant of the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has formally demanded the formation of a special task force. The demand calls for the examination and removal of all encroachments on the reserved forest land at Mouje Jui Bapuji and its subsequent restoration to the Forest Department for protection. This case serves as a critical test for the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s vision, with the findings of the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) being closely watched by policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Also Read: Maharashtra’s ₹87 Cr Child Health Scam Exposed by Sprouts SIT.
Related Article: Why JSW Steel’s Dolvi Expansion Is Fueling Furious Local Protests.
Summary of other controversies involving JSW
Pollution Violations and Community Impact
JSW Steel’s integrated Dolvi plant in Maharashtra has repeatedly faced allegations of severe air and water pollution. Local communities and environmental groups have protested against the company, citing health hazards and damage to agriculture caused by industrial discharge. Official reports from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) have documented instances of non-compliance with prescribed emission norms, leading to show-cause notices and legal battles over environmental damage.
Royalty Evasion and Land Acquisition Disputes
The company has also been embroiled in significant financial controversies, including allegations of evading royalty payments worth crores of rupees on iron ore extraction. Furthermore, JSW’s expansion projects have been marred by disputes over land acquisition practices. Critics and activists have accused the company of leveraging unfair means and exploiting regulatory ambiguities to acquire land, often leading to conflicts with landowners and farmers. These issues have painted a picture of a corporate giant frequently at odds with regulatory and community norms.
