The measures taken by the district administration and police authorities to keep a check on illegal mining seem insufficient as the district recorded a total 143 cases in 2022-23. Interestingly, the figure was also the same in 2021-2022.
Total 215 vehicles were impounded for transporting mining materials illegally in 2021-22 and the figure rose to 227 in 2022-23.
Over 18 FIRs were filed in September and December in 2022 and 14 were lodged in February and March this year.
Case to be registered post non-payment of dues
After the seizure of a vehicle involved in transporting mining material illegally, a fine is imposed and the vehicle owner is given a 90-day time period to pay it.
If the owner fails to pay it within the stipulated time, FIR is lodged against him. Then, the case goes to the court.
No conviction has been reported in such cases in the past two years.
Sources said the number of vehicles seized for transporting mining materials illegally had shot up in 2022-23, indicating that the authorities failed to discourage those indulged in this trade.
Niranjan Lal, Mining Officer, told The Tribune that they were putting in best efforts to curb this activity. “Regular check is being kept on the sensitive areas. Vehicles have been impounded of locals who were transporting mining materials illegally to nearby areas at cheaper rates,” he added.
Admitting there was shortage of staff to deal with the situation efficiently, the MO said surveillance could be more effective once there were more staffers. “As many as 14 mining guards have been employed in the district,” he added.
Vikrant Bhushan, Superintendent of Police, said the checking of vehicles was being carried out regularly. “Swift action is taken as soon as information regarding any unlawful activity is received,” he added.
Meanwhile, JK Abhir, Deputy Commissioner (DC), directed the local officials of the Development and Panchayats Department to issue strict instructions to the gram panchayats of sensitive areas that the mining officer must be immediately informed if any illegal mining activity was found on the panchayat land. “It is the duty of the gram panchayat concerned to keep a tab on its area to curb the illegal activity,” said the DC who also instructed the officials to carry out surprise inspections at regular intervals.
