Mining scam unearthed: Screening plants, crushers under scrutiny

A total of 13,968 metric tonnes (MT) of illegal mining minerals have been unearthed at two screening plants and two stone crushers in Ranipur village of Bilaspur subdivision in Yamunanagar district.

According to officials from the Mines and Geology Department, Yamunanagar, the minerals were allegedly acquired through illegal mining, as no authorised mining quarries have been operational in the area for a considerable period.

Following the discovery, Chander Bhushan Tiwari, Assistant Mining Engineer, Yamunanagar, has written to the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Haryana State Enforcement Bureau in Yamunanagar, requesting the registration of FIRs against the owners of the implicated screening plants and stone crushers.

The illegal minerals were uncovered during a surprise inspection by a team from the mining department. "On the directions of Assistant Mining Engineer Chander Bhushan Tiwari, an inspection was recently conducted at two screening plants and two stone crushers in Ranipur village. During the inspection, 13,968 MT of illegal mining minerals were found at their sites," said Rohit Singh Rana, Mining Inspector, Yamunanagar.

The inspection revealed 3,380 MT of raw and processed mining minerals at one screening plant and a stone crusher, while 10,588 MT were found at another screening plant and stone crusher.

The department has also imposed a fine of Rs 43.90 lakh on the owners of the screening plants and stone crushers involved. "The illegal activities were carried out despite the absence of any operational quarries in the area and appropriate action is being taken," added Rana.

FIRs are expected to be registered soon as part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining in the district.