BJP MLA threatens dharna against illegal mining

Ravinder Sood

PALAMPUR, November 14 

Ravinder Ravi Dhiman, BJP MLA from Jaisinghpur, today raised voice against illegal mining going on unchecked in the Beas and its tributaries in the subdivision.

Talking to The Tribune here, Dhiman said despite his persistent efforts during the past 10 months, the administration had failed to check illegal mining. He alleged that the Mining Department was providing shelter to the mafia in Jaisinghpur and despite his order no action was taken against the culprits. He said illegal mining was not only resulting in environmental degradation, but also causing losses to the state exchequer in crores.

He said though he was the ruling party MLA, he would support the residents of Jaisinghpur who were the worst victims of illegal mining. He would not even hesitate to sit on a dharna against his own government at Jaisinghpur if the government failed to check illegal mining. He categorically stated that the residents of Jaisinghpur would be on roads if the illegal mining was not stopped.

Dhiman said the mining and pollution departments were well versed with the situation that the NGT had last month imposed a ban on stone crushers operating within 100-metre radius of rivers in the state. He said instead of implementing the orders of NGT both the departments had given a free hand to mafia to exploit the rich natural resources without paying any revenue to the state.

He expressed concern over the permission granted for setting up of another stone crusher near the Beas recently by the Industries Department without any NOC from panchayats and SDM, Jaisinghpur. He said the government must inquire who granted the permission.

Dhiman urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to intervene and prevent the situation from getting bad to worse. He apprised the Chief Minister that the illegal mining had caused large-scale pollution in the adjoining villages which had caused various diseases among the residents.

He said that in the absence of any check from the state agencies these stone crushers were functioning round the clock creating sound pollution in the area.   Unfortunately, not even a single stone crusher was following the guidelines laid down by the Pollution Control Board (PCB) and it was virtually free for all. He said the HPSEBL authorities were also under the scanner which had allowed the crusher to function in gross violation of rules.

Despite efforts, Mining Officer at Dharamsala could not be contacted. However, SDM Jaisinghpur Ashwani Sood said he would implement the NGT order NGT as soon as its copy was received. Proper demarcation of the Beas would be carried out and stone crushers within the radius of 100 metres would be shut down.

Appeals to CM to intervene

• BJP MLA Ravinder Ravi Dhiman (pic) urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to intervene and save the situation from getting bad to worse.
• He said the mining and pollution departments were well versed with the situation. 
• Instead of implementing the NGT orders, both the departments had given free hands to mafia to exploit the rich natural resources.
• The illegal mining had caused large-scale pollution in the adjoining villages which had caused various diseases among the residents.