Govt urged to review new mining rules

Mandi, January 20

The All-Himachal Contractor Welfare Association has urged the government to reconsider the recently passed HP Minor Minerals (Concession) Rules and Minerals Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage Rules.

The state Cabinet had recently given its approval to the new rules, under which illegal mining was made a criminal offence.

Penalty for illegal mining has been increased and fine on vehicles carrying illegally mined material has also been increased.

In a statement here today, association president Dinesh Kumar Sharma said with the implementation of the new rules, construction works in the state would be affected adversely as the government had made a provision of criminal offence in the new mining rules.

He said the new mining rules would not only slow down development works but also adversely hit construction works in the state.

He urged the government to reconsider its decision on a priority.

To check illegal extraction of construction material, he said it was essential to open riverbeds and stone quarries for auction.

He said for eco-friendly mining operation, material could be carried out from quarries manually. — TNS