news details |
|
|
| Mining mafia active despite ban | | |  ASHWANI SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
UDHAMPUR, Mar 11: Despite ban on mining in rivers, the mafia connected to the illegal trade is freely extracting gravel and sand without any check or control by the authorities concerned.
Sources informed that earlier royalty was charged from the trucks, tippers, trolleys etc carrying gravel or sand from rivers but same is not there at present and in the absence of all this such materials are being extracted from the rivers putting the exchequers of government to losses.
Experts also said that unabated mining is also an environmental threat.
Eye witnesses informed that such illegal activities take place mostly at nights as nobody creates any trouble at that time but of late the mining mafia indulges in these activities in day time too and freely extract the sand, gravel and other construction materials illegally from the rivers and rivulets like Jhajjar, Parmota Nahla at Magwal in Reasi district etc without any fear from anyone under the very nose of concerned authorities. Surprisingly, such trucks or other load carriers carrying sand, gravel etc pass through police nakas but none checks or questions them.
Insiders informed that a proper nexus is working there in Geological and Mining Department, Pollution Control Board and in Police Department who have interests to allow such illegal practice.
Sources have expressed concern as this has raised the prices of gravel and sand wherein the dealers often say that they have to give money to senior officers.
“We appeal to LG GC Murmu to please look into the matter personally and take strict action against concerned authorities as well as mining mafia who were illegally extracting the materials from the rivers and nallahs,” locals said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
