AAP govt orders crackdown on mining mafia in Punjab, crushers sealed in Rupnagar
India Today
The AAP government in Punjab came down heavily on illegal mining, with state minister Harjot Singh Bains instructing officials to seal all crushers of Khera Kalmot area in Rupnagar district.
In a major crackdown on mining mafia, the Punjab government on Thursday sealed stone crushers in Khera Kalmot belt near Nangal in Rupnagar district.
Speaking to India Today, Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the crushers were sealed after receiving complaints that illicit mining was damaging the ecology and causing losses to the state exchequer.
"A videography team was sent by the Mining Department to do the investigations. All the crushers of Khera Kalmot belt have been sealed to save the damage being caused to nature," Harjot Singh Bains said.
The Punjab minister said that many complaints were received against the defaulters, including the son-in-law of former Vidhan Sabha speaker Rana KP, who was allegedly involved in the malpractice.
“These influential people were given clean chits by the previous Congress government and no action was taken against them,” Harjot Singh Bains said.
ALSO READ: Reeling under the impact of coal shortage, UP likely to face power crisis
After issuing the directions to seal the crushers, the Punjab minister also held a meeting with the mining officials and directed them to keep regular checks on illegal mining.
