Mining: Sarpanch, panchayat secy suspended

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, March 4

The state Rural Development and Panchayat Department has suspended the sarpanch of Janer village Malwinder Singh and panchayat secretary Harcharan Singh on the charge of illegal mining on 25 acres of panchayat land.

The action follows news reports published in The Tribune ‘Illegal mining on panchayat land threatens ecology at Moga village’ on November 7, 2017, and ‘In Moga, drug mafia takes to sand mining’ on December 2, 2017.

The Tribune had highlighted illegal extraction of top soil (earth) and sand from 25 acres of panchayat land at Janer village in Dharamkot, causing financial loss of Rs 64 lakh to the state exchequer. The top soil was allegedly sold to the nearby brick kilns.

Following the news reports, the Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa had ordered a probe in January.

The department has asked the district authorities to register a criminal case against the duo and recover the financial loss to the state exchequer.

Legal/departmental action has also been recommended against former Block Development and Panchayat Officer of Dharamkot sub-division Jagir Singh who retired some months back.

A senior official said proceedings are also being initiated to recover Rs 64 lakh from the sarpanch and the panchayat secretary. Departmental proceedings will also be initiated to dismiss the sarpanch and panchayat secretary.