Deep nexus: Policing in Aravallis almost absent as mining dept faces staff crunch
Sumedha Sharma
Gurugram, July 23
The ongoing uproar on illegal mining in the Aravallis, amongst other factors, has brought the Mining and Geology Department of the state under the scanner.
Entrusted with policing of the hills, erecting checkpoints and penalising the offenders, the department seems virtually absent in the Aravallis which are being gouged stone by stone.
The records of the Mining Department reveal the lack of regular raids, action or deterring action for years now. The department does not have any regular check-posts in the hills, giving miners a free run. Though inspections are being held, no major penalisations have been recorded.
Local activist Javed Khan said, “Go to any mining-vulnerable state and you will find check-posts everywhere. Mining is not a half an hour act, but takes at least two days. Many times, the authorities here are informed but they do nothing.
“The government should check the status of repeated complaints made to them and CM Window in past few years, but never was action taken. There is rampant corruption everywhere and the miners are stopped just to take money. There is no permanent check-post in the hills and that gives a major boost to illegal mining. Later, the departments blame each other,” said Khan.
“We are severely understaffed and are doing the best we can. We do not have any regular check-posts as there is not enough staff. We conduct regular inspections of the hills and raid illegal mining spots. We collaborate with the police and take action,” said Gurugram Mining Officer Anil Kumar who holds the additional charge of Mining Officer, Nuh.
The number of sanctioned posts for Nuh and Gurugram are 10 inspectors and 25 guards but we are currently functioning with just three inspectors and 10 guards, he said.
State Mining and Geology Minister Mool Chand Sharma told The Tribune that there has been no regular appointment in the department for the past 15 years.
“We have sent proposals for appointments in the department to the Finance Department and hope it will be cleared soon. This should not be just the responsibility of a single (mining) department, but Forest and Police Departments need to collaborate in it. We are trying and will end illegal mining,” he said.
Another major reason behind the thriving of illegal mining is the poor rate of retention of seized vehicles and the conviction of defaulters. According to the district courts data from Nuh, 95 per cent of the vehicles impounded for illegal mining were allowed to go without a penalty. “For miners, their vehicle is very important. Even the DSP was killed in the miscreants’ attempt to save the dumper. The only way to stop them is to impound these vehicles. While the NGT is clear about impounding these vehicles, most of those are released without penalty and are back on the roads. Similarly, the defaulters too are out on bail within days. We have raised this issue many times with the local judiciary,” said a senior police official. The dumper owners cite a High Court precedent in court and go scot free.
15 years, no appointments
No regular appointments done in Mining Dept for past 15 years…. proposal sent, hope it is cleared soon. — MC Sharma, Mining Minister
Risking our lives
We are risking our lives for the work the Mining Department should be doing. The fact that Nuh district, which is vulnerable to illegal mining, doesn’t even have a dedicated Mining Officer says everything. It is high time that this is sorted out and the load is taken off policemen’s shoulders. — A senior police officer
