Quarrying lots to be monitored through CCTV cameras

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 2

Additional Secretary Rakesh Sharma today said CCTV cameras would be installed at all permitted quarrying lots to keep tabs on activities. He stated this during his talks with Matra Sadan ashram head Swami Shivanand here today.

Notably, Chief Minister Harish Rawat had last week imposed a complete ban on quarrying in the district in the wake of an agitation by Matra Sadan inmates and a firing episode at the Bishanpur Kundi quarrying lot involving a Congress legislator.

He said CCTV cameras would help keep tabs on activities at all permitted quarrying lots from where complaints of illegal activities were reported on a regular basis.

Earlier, Rakesh Sharma, accompanied by R Meenakshi Sundaram, Dhar Babu Adhanki, District Magistrate Harish Chand Semwal, ADM Jeevan Singh Nangiyal and SDM Veer Singh Budhiyal, urged Swami Shivanand and his disciple Brahamchari Atmabodhanand to call off their fast.

According to reports, the duo has agreed to call off their agitation in a day or two. Chief Minister Harish Rawat is likely to visit the Matra Sadan ashram anytime this week.

Additional Secretary Rakesh Sharma said quarrying, barring by hand, from Bishanpur to the Bhogpur stretch would only be allowed after getting permission from the District Magistrate.

He said,“Talks with Swami Shivanand are going in the right direction. We have taken his scientific presentation of facts regarding quarrying and harm to the local ecology. We have arrived at a mutual consensus on several issues. However, it will take sometime to implement them.”

Swami Shivanand said,” Government representatives were apprised about the impact of quarrying on the Ganga and the ecology. Environment considerations needs to be given top priority. I will call off my agitation in a day or two.”