The Opposition Congress announced on Monday setting up of a two-member committee to inquire whether 100-odd dumpers seized in connection with illegal sand mining in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh were let off with impunity.
The leader of Opposition in State legislative Assembly Ajay Singh announced the formation of the panel, which will be headed by Congress legislature Party chief whip Narmada Prasad Prajapati. Bhagwan Singh Rajput is the other member of the committee. Ajay alleged that sand mining was rampant in the State even after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice without environmental clearance.
The opposition leader said that out of 150 dumpers, allegedly carrying illegally mined sand, seized in Hoshangabad district last week, challans were issued by the authorities concerned against only 50 vehicles. The NGT on August 5 restrained sand mining without any license or environmental clearance from river beds across the country.
Madhya Pradesh Government has moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of NGT order putting a blanket ban on sand mining, saying that the order was affecting the construction industry in the State. The Apex court on August 16 directed the NGT to consider the State Government’s plea within a week. “The comment made by the Apex court on State Government’s plea is shame for BJP Government,” Singh said.
Singh further said that despite strict orders of the NGT and SC, illegal sand mining in the home district of Chief Minister was matter of serious concern and the more serious issue was that of the 150 trucks caught carrying illegal sand, challans were issued against only 50 vehicles. Action has been taken against only 50 trucks in order to dismiss the larger issue of illegal sand mining.
This also hinted that some big and influential persons of the Government and the ruling party were behind the curtains who did not wish that the illegal trade be stopped, he added. On Monday edition, The Pioneer had carried a column about widespread illegal mining at Sohagpur in Hoshangabad district. It may be mentioned that a nationwide stay order was issued on sand mining on the river beds without the Environment Ministry clearance recently by the National Green Tribunal.