Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday directed the officers concerned to take stringent action against those involved in illegal mining in the state.

Thakur, while presiding over a meeting to review issues related to mining activities in the state said that Swan river in Una district and Mand area in Kangra district are more prone to illegal mining.

During the meeting, Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu demanded that more legal powers must be delegated to police personnel to address illegal mining in the state.

To check illegal mining and transportation of minerals, the State Government has established five check posts at Garget, Pandoga, Bathri, Polian and Mehatpur in Una district.

The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that illegal mining is still going on and violators are bypassing these check posts.

He said that the government has decided to not allow mining lease within two kilometers from the limit of Municipal Corporation or Committees, one kilometers from Nagar Panchayat without NOC from concerned Corporation or Committee. Similarly, no mining lease is being granted within 200 meter from any water supply and irrigation scheme and within 200-500 meters upstream and downstream of the bridge.

The State Government has also made penalty provisions for illegal mining more stringent. The provision of fine upto Rs five lakh and imprisonment upto two years had been made for persons involved in illegal mining, he added.

He further said that penalty provision for illegal storage of minerals has been fixed at Rs 50000 besides market sale price of the total material.

The Chief Minister directed that it must be ensured that nobody is involved in illegal mining but at the same time, steps should be taken to allow scientific mining for construction purposes as well as other developmental works.

Thakur said that the government would consider creating more mining check posts in border areas of the state.