Kochi: At a time when the high court has stressed the importance of environmental clearance for the functioning of quarries, State has informed the Court that there is no State Environment Impact Assessment Authority. Considering the submissions the court criticised State and asked the state to set up a committee immediate.

The purpose of the committee is to avoid disasters so the stalemate has to end, the court observed.

A division bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Babu Mathew P Joseph passed the order while considering a public interest litigation against the functioning of quarry in Manjapra.

Government pleader submitted before Kerala High Court that from 3 November 11 there was no committee either as the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority or as the appraisal committee in the office.

The government in October 28 had sent a recommendation to the central for making appointment of the new committee. The center on November 25 sent a reply and the government is considering it.

Considering the submission the court observed that it will not be in the interest of the management of the sector of environment without such a authority being in place on a continuous basis.