Srinagar: In order to oversee ongoing mining operations across various districts of Kashmir valley, Secretary Mining Department, Amit Sharma conducted an extensive touring across Baramulla, Budgam, Srinagar and Bandipora districts over the last couple of days.
Secretary was accompanied with concerned District Mineral Officers, revenue and police officers during these site visits wherein Amit wanted to visit sites from where complaints keep pouring-in regarding illegal mining from time to time.
Secretary Mining Department took a firsthand account as well as an overview of ongoing mining activities in multiple districts of Kashmir Division and the progress achieved by respective District Mining Officers especially with respect to enforcement and seizures of machinery etc related to alleged illegal mining from time to time.
He directed that heavy penalties should be imposed upon the defaulters including lessees, crusher holders and other stakeholders who conduct this wilful act of extracting excessive material in an illegal manner which result into environmental degradation as well.
Secretary Amit Sharma also interacted with local inhabitants of the respective districts to understand their concerns which were noted down by the visiting team and Secretary assured prompt action on all the legitimate issues raised by the public in this behalf. During the tour, Amit directed that there should be total synchronisation between Mining Department, Revenue Department and Police Department while conducting joint inspections in all the vulnerable areas of Kashmir valley so that the impact becomes visible to the illegitimate operators.
Amit further directed during the visits that surprise inspection squads led by Joint Director Mining of both Jammu & Kashmir divisions should make serious effort to check illegal mining and there should be 100% usage of technology in this sector, especially after the introduction of e-Challan, e-Marketplace and e-Payment gateways in the Mining Department which is being availed through website of the Department “jkgeologymining.jk.gov.in” which has been receiving an overwhelming response since its launch few months back in the Union Territory of J&K.
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