Faridkot, Feb 17: Area under illegal mining adjoining an allotted quarry in Dod village, 15km from the district headquarters, is expanding as the administration has turned a blind eye. Even a “raid” on February 6 has failed to have effect, as was evident upon a visit to the site on Friday.
Dozens of trucks carrying unaccounted sand and gravel consignments worth nearly Rs 5 lakh move out of the area every day, say officials who refuse to be named. While just a 2-acre quarry was auctioned for mining of sand at Dod, nearly 10 acres have been devastated by the sand mafia. Contractor Hira Singh is using heavy excavators too in violation of rules that say the digging has to be done manually.
The adjoining cultivated land faces the threat of a massive cave-in, as has been reported by HT last month too. Local farmers say they fear the mafia who purportedly enjoy political patronage.
Additional deputy commissioner Keshav Hingonia, who is the nodal officer of mining here, didn’t respond to repeated calls and messages. He was supposed to submit a report of the February 6 raid to the deputy commissioner, Faridkot.
However, site manager Mandeep Singh, alias Sunny Monga, of Kotkapura said excavators and other machines were being used only to fill up the site with gravel after digging out the sand. “It is being done by the land owner, Daljit Singh. We are not violating any rules and regulations,” he claimed.
DC Rajiv Prashar said, “We will take strict action if any irregularities are found and have also directed the general manager of the mining wing to look into the matter at the earliest.”
News Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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