Chandigarh, December 9:
With a view to ensure that the illegal sand mining is effectively nipped in the bud and prices of sand remain constant at the government fixed rates of Rs. 5.50 per cubic feet, the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday directed the respective District Administrations to keep strict vigil at the mining sites. He also asked the Deputy Commissioners to declare reward of Rs. 25000 if a proof is provided in video or any other form about any violation of the norms in this regard.
Presiding over a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners and the SSPs, the Chief Minister further said that the distance rates from each mining site to the final destination point would be decided by the respective Deputy Commissioner. Further, the Chief Minister also directed to ensure that if any village panchayat wants sand then they should be provided the same free of cost from the mining sites. No charges should be levied from the trolleys carrying sand and only trucks should be charged the rate of Rs. 5.50 per cubic feet, said Channi.
Likewise, the Chief Minister also emphasized to increase the number of legal sites and start the sites which were earlier closed down. He appreciated the efforts being made by the districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali and Ropar in this regard.
Emphasizing coordination between Civil and Police Administration, the Chief Minister said that no political interference in this respect would be tolerated as he is determined to crackdown hard on the culprits indulging in illegal sand mining.
