To crackdown on illegal mining, Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Monday ordered stringent action against those indulging in the illegal practice.
The Minister directed that vehicles, being used for illegal mining, must be confiscated. At the same time, he made it categorically clear that no political interference would be tolerated.
Sarkaria, during a high-level meeting with the state Director general of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta and other senior officials of the Mining Department, asked the state police chief to instruct all the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to deal severely with illegal miners and vehicle owners indulged in illegal mining. “Mining Department has received reports of illegal mining from some parts of the State, which has led to heavy losses to the state exchequer and needed to be checked on priority,” said Sarkaria.Directing the DGP to take strict action against the illegal miners, the Minister also warned that strict action would also be taken against those land owners whose land is being illegally mined.
Sarkaria maintained that vehicles, used for mining material, must have a slip of the state Mining Department. The Mining Department issues a slip for vehicles to carry mining material from approved sites. The Minister said that the Capt Amarinder Singh led Government was fully committed to provide sand-gravels to the people at reasonable prices and for this purpose, all mining sites have been allocated through e-auction.