Open House: Is fixing sand price enough to address this age-old mining menace without reining in mafia?

Break the nexus of politicians & police

It is worrisome that Punjab has been plagued with the perennial problem of illegal mining of sand and gravel. Due to their negligent and lackadaisical approach in the implementation of land mining rules and regulations, successive state governments have failed miserably in eradicating this all-pervasive menace. As a result, this unregulated and unhindered lucrative business is being carried on with impunity. It leads to environmental degradation, soil erosion and destruction of crops, clashes between sand mafias, criminalisation and even loss of precious human lives. Moreover, it breeds corruption and causes a humongous loss to the state exchequer every year. In a landmark judgment, the apex court has directed the states to adopt a balanced approach of sustainable development ensuring environmental safeguards while dealing with the issue of sand mining. After it was repeatedly accused of giving sand mafia a free hand, the ruling Congress party has recently introduced a new mining policy, slashing the sand rates and giving ample rights to landowners and possessors to level their fields. Dubbing it as a populist gesture for gaining political mileage in the ensuing Assembly elections, various villages still complain against riverbeds being ravaged with more than 40-feet deep craters. The government should break the existing unholy alliance between the police, politicians and the sand mafia. Along with the fixing responsibility of the officials concerned, a stringent penal action should be taken against the obdurate perpetrators engaged in unlawful mining activities. It will help the consumers get these minor construction minerals at cheaper rates and considerably ramp up the state’s revenue

Simran & Tajpreet S Kang

Only a gimmick to reap electoral dividends

Over the past many years, rampant illegal sand and gravel mining near riverbeds across the state has been a major cause for concern. Besides disturbing the ecological balance, eroding land and spoiling its quality, it causes a huge loss to the public exchequer and damages temporary bandhs, roads, bridges and electricity poles. Despite the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court’s directions, the state government taking various remedial measures, such as registering cases against the unscrupulous people and confiscating their vehicles and using drones to assess the extent of excavation, this unlawful activity has been going on unabated, courtesy police-politician-mining and the transport mafia. In a welcome move, the Punjab dispensation has recently formulated a new mining policy to cap the daily-growing prices of these construction materials in the public interest. It will not only make these available to the consumers at affordable rates and help farmers and panchayats to level agricultural fields, but also augment the state’s sources. Moreover, officials and contractors violating these rules without any valid reason and charging increased rates will be strictly dealt with. Whether this much-hyped new policy is a tactical move to reap electoral dividends or it is legally and practically feasible, only time will tell. A strong political will, a comprehensive policy and its proper implementation, and tightening the noose on unscrupulous elements are the last resort to curb this illicit activity.

D S Kang

For how long will this rule stay?

Administration has all the powers to deal firmly with all those responsible for illegal activities. Every year, millions of tons of sand is evacuated from the river beds and choes and similarly boulders are lifted from the rivers. Government frames a new policy for sand mining, but due to the development works of multistory buildings, bridges, cemented roads, cement blocks for houses the demand for sand has increased manifold. The sand mafia has also expanded its areas to fulfill the demand of sand, here a question arises of demand and supply. At present the sand mafia lifts the sand from different areas of river beds. Whenever the monsoons hit badly, it creates havoc at these sensitive points, causing a great loss to the agricultural land. New Chief Minister S Charanjit Singh Channi has announced the new rates of sand but for how long can it be expected to last? Until and unless strict punishment is implemented against the theft of the natural resources, illegal sand mining will keep going on.

RAJAT KUMAR MOHINDRU

Sand mafia will remain dominant

Government tried to provide sand at cheaper rates to the consumers but sand mafia is dominant with their illegal network. It is an age-old menace of violent conflicts. They are bribing local politicians and law enforcement officers. Politicians are hands-in-glove with the sand mafia, without their support it is not possible. These illegal sand mining have taken a toll on rivers. They work under the cover of darkness, excessive sand mining has altered river beds and even forced waterbodies to change their course, resulting floods, every now and then people and media persons are raising this issue about illegal activities but no action is taken because of the powerful and violent goons. Punjab is blessed by three rivers, which contribute sand and gravel abundantly Government should think about it seriously to stop this illegal mining and protect rivers. They should take strict actions against those found engaged in mining operation at night. Strict vigil and will power is required. Stringent action should be taken against violators, including officers and the police personnel found conniving in the illegal sand mining. Additional man power should be deployed to check night mining, even vehicles should be confiscated.

SHASHI KIRAN

Markets fail to implement new prices

It’s unfortunate that Punjab is beset with many mafias — sand mafia, drug mafia, illicit alcohol mafia and many more. The sand mafia is harming the river beds of Punjab. Many bridges are in danger of collapsing. Those mining the riverbeds are just labourers who are controlled by their bosses and big fish, political or big government officials or their relatives. The price of the sand has skyrocketed in the last many years. Though the government has fixed the price of the sand but the market has not complied with the order of the government. Some harsh steps have to be taken to control these sand mafias.Incidentally the word mafia is the structured secret organisation engaged in smuggling, racketeering, trafficking and other criminal activities in the U.S; Italy and elsewhere.In Punjab these mafias are roaming free and are not afraid of the law enforcement agencies who may be cahoots with these smugglers. So who will catch them? If the judiciary intervenes to pull the government and the police for controlling these mafias, things may improve. These mafias must be put behind bars and suitably punished so that they must fall in line and public gets some relief from high prices of sand and gravel.

Dr JS Wadhwa

Influential people making quick bucks

Sand and gravel are the basic construction material other than bricks, steal & cement. These ingredients are available in plenty almost all across the river basins. In earlier days, when the auction of quarries was not in place, people used to draw sand from these sources as per requirements, at a meagre price. In the last few decades, due to the acceleration in building activity and large scale infrastructure development, the demand for sand has increased and its prices raised manifolds. Finding it an emerging source of lucrative business, many influential persons, including some politicians, got involved in the trade, to make quick bucks. Such powerful groups openly flouted norms and resorted to illicit mining even at prohibited places, causing a dangerous threat to the safety of residents settled nearer to riverbeds apart from creating serious environment and ecological problems. Various nearby villagers are complaining against the riverbeds being ravaged, yet the illicit mining goes on unabated. Under the Mining Act, the government tried to regulate the trade by auction of potential khudds but the large presence of powerful mafias manipulate the instructions by indulging in all kind of violations and unfair practices. Not only they charge heavily from consumers, but dig up sand illegally much more than the permitted allocation, thus duping the state exchequer. Currently, mafias are in complete command of this business and sell sand at rates determined by it. Consequently, the end consumers are fleeced as the price of sand runs as high as Rs 30-per cubic feet. Upon hue and cry from the public, the Punjab CM made a declaration under ‘Mission Clean’ to take stern action against the sand mafias and put the violators behind bars. Despite announcement of pegging sand price @Rs 5.50 cft, it is still being sold at very high price and the menace of illicit mining goes on. Indeed, it is denting the government image as the people are now aware and well informed by sharp lenses of media. They cannot be be-fooled by mere rhetorics and populist announcements to allure voters for the forthcoming elections will not suffice until effective action is taken to nail the culprits. Only workable and credible declarations sound well, while the false and ludicrous promises vitiate the public order. The government and the officials concerned cannot escape the responsibility to provide good governance. In all, people expect politicians to be fair and deliver what they commit to retain power.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Present govt not keen to fight mafia

I clearly remember the long period when all production of cement factories was regularly gulped by our civil engineering projects like Bhakhra Nangal project and cement bags were rationed for the general public. The Department of Civil Supplies would inform applicants of their turn for two bags through their self-addressed post cards. The price of a bag of cement those days was Rs2.5 and that of sand and concrete a pittance. Then came ‘development’, which in our country is a close cousin of graft. We now have to pay more for concrete and sand than for cement. The sand mafia had learnt a simple lesson that they could dig up any amount of sand from any part of a river, free of cost, and then market the same on their own terms, courtesy links with the minister and apathy of the government. Thus, they have already mined millions of cubic feet from various sites in the state, never mind if their reckless digging has caused irreversible damage to our environment. Most of our bridges are exposed to risks of getting washed away during heavy rain. As a rule, well-marked sections of a canal or river are allotted and the allottee permitted to mine only up to sanctioned depth, and leave proof in the shape of unmined pyramidical pillars of sand. The height of hypocrisy is that cities are dotted with billboards announcing government rates of Rs5.5/cubic ft inviting only ridicule because sellers care two hoots. The loot goes on.

MOHAN SINGH

Rivers damaged beyond redemption

• In the series of latest populist measures being announced by Channi government in view of ensuing elections, one relating to sand pricing is taken haphazardly without responsible consideration. Actually, it appeared to be an eyewash in the backdrop of strong grip of sand mafia engaged in illegal activities since a long time right under the nose of bureaucrats and politicians
• First of all, if the government is really serious, strong and time bound action against all the guilty must be initiated to ensure that exemplary punishment is awarded to them. Secondly, to provide sand at affordable and sustainable rates, fair and transparent price mechanism on the basis of availability of sand and its transport cost to various sale points, in consultation with the mining contractors have to be evolved
• Thirdly, it has to be strictly ensured that the ecosystem of our rivers is not disturbed and damaged beyond redemption. Based upon the scientific study of environmental impact, suitable sites for sand mining need to be identified. In case the sand availability is not sufficient in the state, strategy to procure the same from other sources must be in place to avoid shortage and corrupt practice. JAGDISH CHANDER

QUESTION

Political parties offering freebies to people ahead of the elections is common. Instead of promising good governance or welfare measures, the parties prioritise giving sops to lure voters. Don't you think this freebie culture is against the basic principles of democracy? What is your opinion and how can we stop this practice?

Suggestions in not more than  200 words can be sent to [email protected] by Thursday (December 9)

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