Dist admn launches helpline to register complaints

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 13

Unabated illegal sand mining has caused a headache to the mining department and district administration. They are urging the public to register their complaints on the web portal.

Deputy Commissioner KS Sangha said a helpline number 94638-19838 was launched in the city to register complaints against illegal sand mining. The DC said the complaints could be registered at the portal as well.

He said apart from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, officials of drainage, forest and panchayat departments had been authorised to register FIRs against those found involved in illegal sand mining.

He said teams of officials had been formed under the SDMs concerned to jointly hold monthly meetings and carry out raids to check illegal sand mining.

The DC said, “The team meets every month and carries out raids against illegal sand mining. Strict action is taken against those found involved in mining. Besides, cases have been registered against those who excavate their land beyond the permissible limit under the Public Premises act.”

Illegal sand mining has been going on in full swing and of the total 14 quarries in the district, six are being allotted.

The Ajnala subdivision has maximum nine quarries while five quarries are found in the Baba Bakala subdivision’s Beas area.

Residents of the villages close to these quarries are not happy with illegal sand mining as overloaded trucks endanger the lives of commuters and damage roads.

Farmers are permitted to excavate their fields not more than 10-ft deep.

The District Mining Department has lodged over 100 FIRs after detecting illegal mining cases this year. The proposal for an auction of eight more quarries have been forwarded.