Eyebrows raised over power disconnection

Rajiv Mahajan

Nurpur, January 13

The order of local Sub-Divisional Magistrate to disconnect power supply of eight stone crushers in Kandwal, Baarikhud and Dhangupeer has raised eyebrows over the functioning of the Mining Department.

As per information, the then SDM Nurpur had sealed six illegally run stone crushers in Kandwal, Bari Khud and Tipri and issued an order to disconnect electricity supply of these units in December 2015.

Intriguingly, the Nurpur SDM again ordered to disconnect power supply of eight stone crushers, including the four units, whose power supply had been disconnected over a year ago. These four stone crushers included one in Kandwal and one each in Baari, Khud and Dhangupeer. These four erring crushers were allegedly operational clandestinely either using diesel generator sets or through electricity.

HPSEBL executive engineer Nurpur division SK Sharma said in official records, the power supply of these four crushers was disconnected and resorted to generator sets.

SDM AH Sadiq (IAS) said he had issued power supply disconnection order of all eight stone crushers following report of a local mining officer (MO) who had personally visited and found that all these (eight) crushers were operational without procuring government permission, registration and environment clearance.

Mining officer Neeraj Kant said the erring crusher owners had been served showcause notice a few days back but no satisfactory replies were received by them.

He said the use of generator sets for running any stone crusher was not economically viable.

Meanwhile, the local field staff of the HPSEBL disconnected electricity supply of remaining four stone crusher units — Mahadev, Bhagwati in Kandwal, Nandi in Lahru (Jawali) and SCS enterprises in Barikhud.

The executive engineer electrical sub division has also submitted order compliance to the SDM. He said generator sets were found in six out of eight stone crushers in an idle and isolated condition and their usage during night hours could not be ruled out. He said these sets could be seized or confiscated only by the Police Department.