Chandigarh: Punjab’s Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, who holds the Mining and Geology portfolio, held a meeting with top officials of the Punjab Police and Mining Department at Punjab Bhawan on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Meet Hayer stressed on continuous checking at the grassroots level to keep a check on illegal mining. He said to ensure vigilance, a joint committee comprising field officers of the Mining Department and police officials should be formed.
On Tuesday, the Punjab Cabinet minister also held a meeting with contractors and crusher owners regarding commercial mining sites.
He asked officials to send their reports in this regard to the authorities at regular intervals.
“Illegal mining will not be tolerated in the districts with mining sites, especially in the border districts where the international border is located. Punjab Police has allocated 50 personnel to the enforcement wing of the Mining Department to keep a check on the illegal mining,” said Meet Hayar.
He further added that of the 40 commercial mining sites, 19 are ready to start operations and the rest will be completed soon.
“With the commissioning of these new commercial mining clusters, people will be able to get sand/gravel from places near their homes. The government has a target to start 100 commercial clusters in the state. A meeting in this regard with the contractors was also held,” Meet Hayer said.
The minister said that people should get sand on the price fixed. Any negligence and illegal activity in this matter will not be tolerated, he added.