Illegal mining causes loss to exchequer

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Mahendragarh, June 23

Deputy Commissioner Sanjeev Verma has recommended action against a private firm, Om Minerals, for illegal mining of gravel along the Krishnawati river at Bhadenti village in Nangal Choudhary tehsil.

An inquiry report prepared by the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO), Narnaul, revealed the firm caused losses amounting to several crores to the state exchequer by carrying out illegal gravel mining in collusion with officials of the Mining and Forest Department. The report also alleged tree felling on large scale by the firm.

The DC has reportedly written to the Mining and Forest Department to take stern action against guilty officials besides directing the Mining Officer to recover losses incurred by the state exchequer from the firm.

An inquiry was initiated on the basis of a complaint by the sarpanch of Bhedanti village, Hariram, about illegal gravel mining on large scale in an area not leased for mining along Krishnawati River.

Meanwhile, the DC assured that no guilty employee would be spared and stern action would be taken against them as per rules. Since illegal mining had been carried out on panchayat land, the DDPO has also been directed to act against those who failed to curb the illegal trade.