PUNJAB GOVT FURTHER TIGHTENS NOOSE AROUND ILLEGAL MINING

PUNJAB GOVT FURTHER TIGHTENS NOOSE AROUND ILLEGAL MINING

FIVE PERSONS ARRESTED AND FIVE VEHICLES & MACHINES SEIZED IN NIGHT OPERATION IN RUPNAGAR

BHAGWANT MANN GOVT COMMITTED TO ENSURING LEGAL SUPPLY OF MINERALS TO PEOPLE: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL

Chandigarh, October 11 (WISHAVWARTA):- Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has further tightened the noose around illegal mining activities across the state and is taking stringent action against those found violating mining regulations, asserted Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, Minister for Mining and Geology, Punjab while informing that as part of the ongoing enforcement drive, the joint team of mining authorities and Police conducted a night operation and arrested five persons involved in illegal mining activities besides seizing five vehicles and machines involved in illegal mining activities in the Chamkaur Sahib area of district Rupnagar. The seizure includes three excavators including backhoe loaders, along with two tippers, following action in connection with a case registered at Sri Chamkaur Sahib Police Station.

The five accused, arrested in the case, have been identified as Ravi Kumar of Bela, Chamkaur Sahib (Rupnagar); Ashwani Kumar of Tonsa, Kathgarh (SBS Nagar); Jaspal Singh of Aima, Kathgarh (SBS Nagar); Ashwani Kumar of Bama, Chamkaur Sahib (Rupnagar) and Harjinder Singh of Lakhowal, Chamkaur Sahib, District Rupnagar.

The case was registered under Sections 4(1) and 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, following a complaint by a Junior Engineer-cum-Mining Inspector.

The seized machinery and vehicles include a JCB 215 Excavator bearing PIN No. PUNJD21ATM3033117, a JCB JS-140 Excavator bearing PIN No. PUNJD14BA0243952 (plate missing), a JCB Backhoe Loader bearing PIN No. HAR3DX4403070388, a BharatBenz Tipper bearing registration number PB12-T-2687 and a Tata Tipper bearing registration number PB07-AL-8405.

Sh. Goyal reiterated that the Mann government is committed to ensuring a lawful, transparent and uninterrupted supply of minerals to the people of Punjab, adding that the state government would not allow illegal mining to undermine the state’s natural resources or cause losses to the public exchequer. The enforcement machinery has been directed to maintain strict vigilance and take firm action against violations while ensuring that the legitimate supply of minerals continues to meet public needs, he added.

The Mines and Geology Minister said that the government would continue its sustained crackdown to curb illegal mining and ensure strict compliance with the law across Punjab.