Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has further tightened the noose around illegal mining activities across the state and is taking stringent action against those found violating mining regulations, asserted Barinder Kumar Goyal, Minister for Mining and Geology, Punjab while informing that as part of the ongoing enforcement drive, the joint team of mining authorities and Police conducted a night operation and arrested five persons involved in illegal mining activities besides seizing five vehicles and machines involved in illegal mining activities in the Chamkaur Sahib area of district Rupnagar.
The case was registered under Sections 4(1) and 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, following a complaint by a Junior Engineer-cum-Mining Inspector.
The seized machinery and vehicles include a JCB 215 Excavator bearing PIN No. PUNJD21ATM3033117, a JCB JS-140 Excavator bearing PIN No. PUNJD14BA0243952 (plate missing), a JCB Backhoe Loader bearing PIN No. HAR3DX4403070388, a BharatBenz Tipper bearing registration number PB12-T-2687 and a Tata Tipper bearing registration number PB07-AL-8405.
Goyal reiterated that the Mann government is committed to ensuring a lawful, transparent and uninterrupted supply of minerals to the people of Punjab, adding that the state government would not allow illegal mining to undermine the state’s natural resources or cause losses to the public exchequer. The enforcement machinery has been directed to maintain strict vigilance and take firm action against violations while ensuring that the legitimate supply of minerals continues to meet public needs, he added.
