SRINAGAR: A penalty exceeding Rs Five lakh was recently imposed by District Mineral Officer Rajinder Singh on machinery engaged in unauthorised extraction along the Bhini River in the Billawar region.
Acting on a tip about illegal mining and transportation in the Hotter area along the Bhini River, a joint team comprising officials from the mining department and Billawar police swiftly responded.
Upon reaching the site, the team confiscated machinery, including two JCBs, two dumpers, and one tractor trolley. The District Mineral Officer revealed that during the seizure, officials measured the excavated area on the spot, and penalties were applied to the wrongdoers per existing rules and regulations.
Further investigation uncovered that the machinery, operated by a contractor, was illicitly deployed to extract materials from a location approximately three kilometres away from a sanctioned minor mineral block. This manoeuvre was aimed at evading royalty payments.
The contractor and other construction agencies have been sternly warned against engaging in such unlawful practices, with explicit instructions to transport minor minerals only from assigned sites. This directive was issued to curb the substantial losses inflicted on both natural resources and the government exchequer due to illegal mining activities.
Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas of Kathua has already instructed the mining department to vigilantly monitor mining activities and take decisive action against those participating in the illicit mining business.
