SAMBA, APRIL 06(KNB): In continuation to the drive against the illegal mining like extraction, transportation and storage/dumping of minor minerals, the department of geology and mining has booked several persons found dumping minor minerals in contravention of laws and without a valid license.
Two illegal dumps were seized on spot and handed over to the police party which was accompanying the DMO Samba. Meanwhile, a heavy fine was also imposed on three defaulters on the spot.
The District Mining officer has asked all those associated with mining activities to abide by the rules and take necessary permissions before doing any type of mining activity like excavation, transportation and dumping of minor minerals. He also requested the general public to extend all possible cooperation to the department to enforce the extant rules to meet the demand of building material on one hand and preserve the fragile ecological system on the other hand. He further informed that there are multi- departmental task force Committees in place which include officers from civil administration, police department, forest and wildlife, irrigation and flood control etc who are there at Tehsil level and any violations be reported to them directly if Geology and Mining department can’t be reached out immediately.
Pertinent to mention here that District Magistrate Samba Anuradha Gupta who’s chairperson of the Multi-Departmental Task force had recently held a meeting of district and Tehsil task force committees to activate enforcement teams.(KNB)