Now, over-exploitation in another mining zone

HISAR: After over-exploitation of the Dadam mining zone in Bhiwani drawing flak from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, allegations of transportation of excessive material from the adjoining Khanak zone have put authorities of the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation in the dock.

Allegations of transportation of excessive material from the Khanak zone have put the authorities in the dock. Photo: Bansi Lal Basniwal

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, December 13

After over-exploitation of the Dadam mining zone in Bhiwani drawing flak from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, allegations of transportation of excessive material from the adjoining Khanak zone have put authorities of the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation in the dock.

In a complaint submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a Janta Darbar in Bhiwani yesterday, some mining labourers alleged embezzlement of around Rs 30 lakh in Khanak every day. They alleged that around 45 tonnes of minerals were being transported after showing a slip for 20 tonnes.

Labourers Karma Pradhan, Rampal, Harish, Lekhraj and others urged the Chief Minister to order an inquiry into their complaint. They mentioned six points in connection with the alleged corruption going on in Khanak.

They stated that they had caught vehicles carrying 45 tonnes of minerals though only 20 tonnes were mentioned in Khanak records.

They said violators justified overloading by saying they had filled earth in the dumpers.

They named an official as the main conspirator in the wrongdoing allegedly going on in Khanak. They alleged that the official had included a contractor for mining in the Khanak zone. They alleged that the official had been keeping the authorities in the dark. The complainants reiterated their demand for an inquiry against the official and into mining operations. The Chief Minister accepted the complaint, but did not give any verbal assurance on an inquiry into the allegations in the complaint.

Labourer Rampal said they had witnessed large-scale exploitation of minerals and corruption in the mining zone. When contacted, Bhupinder Singh, mining officer in Bhiwani, said he was busy at the moment and would talk later.

The complaint

Labourers named an official as the main conspirator in the wrongdoing allegedly going on in Khanak. They alleged that the official had included a contractor for mining in the Khanak zone. Around 45 tonnes of minerals were being transported after showing a slip for 20 tonnes, they added.