Aam Aadmi Party MP from Fatehgarh Sahib Harinder Singh Khalsa on Tuesday criticised blatant disregard of rules in giving clearance to mining of sand in Powat village near Samrala.
Khalsa said as per records and information collected by the villagers, lead by Col Balbir Singh Toor, the permission had been granted by the mining department by overlooking all rules and providing false information to the competent authorities.
"There are several lapses in the procedure. Firstly, the area where the mining is in progress is in close proximity of the canal and the Powat (MCM) drain is causing seepage and water logging," Khalsa alleged.
He added that according to the affidavits submitted by some land owners, their land had been added to the mining area without their consent just to fulfill the minimum requirements. Also, records were falsely filed and wrong information was provided to the sanctioning authorities and the environment clearance had been taken on the basis of this wrong information.
Khalsa demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter, to ascertain the facts and to punish the erring officials. He also demanded that this activity should be stopped immediately.
"It is very surprising that in spite of documentary evidence being provided to the authorities concerned and the minister concerned, along with the chief minister, no action has been taken till date. This clearly points towards political patronage to the mining mafia. It is sad that SAD-BJP government has turned sand into an expensive commodity and thus turned it into a way to line their pockets, fleecing the common people," Khalsa claimed.
{{/usCountry}}"It is very surprising that in spite of documentary evidence being provided to the authorities concerned and the minister concerned, along with the chief minister, no action has been taken till date. This clearly points towards political patronage to the mining mafia. It is sad that SAD-BJP government has turned sand into an expensive commodity and thus turned it into a way to line their pockets, fleecing the common people," Khalsa claimed.
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