Criticizing the Congress-led Punjab Government for its “faulty” mining policy, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday asked the Government to review the same.
“The mining mafia operating in the State tried to grab 89 sand mines in the State recently conducted bidding, but with the interference of AAP, it could not be done,” claimed party’s State unit president and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann.
He said party leader and advocate Dinesh Chaddha had presented facts showing irregularities in the bidding of sand mines a day after the auction.
“AAP is playing the role of a constructive opposition party in the State and will continue to do so. AAP will not allow the sand mafia to loot the residents of State by grabbing the natural resources and forcing people to buy sand on higher prices,” he said.
Mann said it was the need of the hour to draft a proper policy regarding the auction of sand mines so that the lobby could be broken and common people did not face any problem purchasing sand.
“If the Government takes steps in this regard, AAP will appreciate the work of Government,” he added.
Chaddha demanded that the Government must draft a black list of people who were running illegal mining and gunda tax trade in State.
He also demanded that these people must be blocked from taking part in the auction in the future.
Offering to provide proofs to the Government against the people indulging in illegal mining trade, Chadha said if the State Government would not take action against the mafia, AAP would fight against it with the help of courts.