Deep nexus: Six-member panel to probe illegal mining in Yamunanagar

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Yamunanagar, July 28

The Mines and Geology Department, Haryana, is going to crack a whip on those indulging in illegal mining in Yamunanagar district.

To submit Report in 15 days

• The six-member panel will check record of all stone crushers, screening plants and mineral dealer licence holders
• The committee will also look into the issue of fake e-Rawana bills and sources of raw mining material
• It will have to submit its report within 15 days

Department Director DK Behera has constituted a six-member panel to conduct an inquiry to identify the violators. Officers from the Panchkula headquarters, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts will conduct the inquiry.

Sources said the committee had been asked to check record of all stone crusher, screening plant and mineral dealer licence holders related to the purchase of raw mining material and sale of finished products. The committee has also been asked to look into the issue of fake e-Rawana bills.

The committee could also ask owners of stone crushers and screening plants to disclose the source of raw mining material.

As per the record of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Yamunanagar, there are 211 stone crushers and 351 screening plants in the district. The committee was formed on the complaint of Ali Hasan of Kalanaur village here.

Hasan complained to the CBI and the CM about illegal mining and other violations by mining contractors, stone crusher owners, screening plant owners etc.

Mentioning the names of committee members, the director issued an order regarding the inquiry on July 20. The panel has been asked to submit its report in 15 days. The Mines and Geology Department detected a fraud related to the purchase of raw mining material in Yamunanagar district recently.

The owners of four screening plants and firms concerned allegedly showed in their record that they procured raw mining material from other states like Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.

As per Mining Department officials, buying raw mining material from far-off states was not possible. Taking a swift action, Yamunanagar Mining Officer Rajiv Dhiman got an FIR registered against the four firms. Rajiv Dhiman said if anyone was found indulging in illegal mining, strict action would be taken immediately.