JAMMU: Prior to formal submission of report of the enquiry committee, District Mineral Officer, Jammu, Ankur Sachdeva was removed. Raising eyebrows on this estrange development, insiders in Geology and Mining Department termed it as a wrong precedent which will only emboldened morals of mining mafia in Jammu.
This bizzare action reflects influence of mining mafia over defunct Geology and Mining Department which lacks concrete strategy and man power to act against mining mafia operating in River Tawi in violation of High Court order, said an officer posted in Geology and Mining Department, Jammu. This is an act of appeasement, he added.
Threats and abuses hurled at DMO is a testimony to the fact that relentless efforts of DMO, Ankur Sachdeva against mining mafia were upto the desired level in curbing the menace of open loot of minor minerals in River Tawi, says one Geology & Mining Department Officer.
Interestingly, the committee which supposed to submit its report within a week time, yet not able to see light of the day despite lapse of 21 days.
Pertinently, the Government vide Order No.15-MNG dated May 4, 2021 constituted a committee headed by O P Bhagat, Director Geology and Mining J&K and comprising R C Kotwal, Director Finance Industries and Commerce Department, Dr Raj Kumar, Incharge Deputy Director Geology and Mining and Romesh Gandotra, Assistant Mining Engineer with a direction to submit its findings within a week’s time pertaining to illegal mining activities, viability of controlled mining along Tawi River and status of banned stone crusher units located in close of vicinity of River Tawi.
This four member committee was formed in backdrop of allegations levelled by beleaguered former legislator of BJP Vikaram Randhawa in a press conference on May 4. Randhawa had leveled a series of allegations against MoS in PMO Dr Rajinder Singh Rana, SSP Jammu, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and the District Mineral Officer Jammu, Ankur Sachdeva.
Responding to Randhawa’s press conference, Sachdeva termed it as an act of frustration and accused Randhawa of running illegal mining operations under the garb of stone crusher units.
Giving details sources said “Instead of submitting report within stipulated time, the concerned officers seems busy in devising a tailored made plan for sab kaa saath, sab kaa vikaas regarding illegal mining around Tawi River bed”.
“To abdicate their responsibility and cover up various shortcomings afflicting Geology and Mining Department, the committee likely to recomend opening of blocks from Nagrota upto Phalianmandal in River Tawi where mining activities were banned since 2016 by the J&K High Court” said sources.
Recommending controlled mining in banned areas of River Tawi is not only a ridiculous but also a weird idea, said Prof S.K.Bhalla, a renowned social activists. This will play havoc with the environment, added Prof Bhalla.
Demanding formation of high tech check-posts at identified sites, Prof Bhalla said that despite blanket ban of J&K High Court, illegal mining in River Tawi is flourishing which is no more a secret.
This is failure of Police and officers of Geology & Mining Deptt sitting at the helm and thus taking cognizance of the unpleasant scenario around River Tawi, the High Court should appoint a retired judge of impeccable integrity to probe illegal mining in banned area of River Tawi in a stipulated time and suggest concrete steps to curb it- Prof S.K Bhalla.
It would not be out of place to mention here that due to nexus of sand mafia, field staff of Geology & Mining Department and police, there is massive illegal mining going on uniteruptedly in Bajalta, Sidhara, Majalta, Phalianmandal and Belicharana areas of Jammu.
Ironically despite aware of the fact that minor mineral resources worth crores are being plundered with impunity on monthly basis, still the authorities never bothered to strengthen its checkpost and implement digital surveillance at identified points.
Interestingly, there are identified 91 blocks in entire J&K UT for extraction of minor minerals -sand, gravels and stone. Out of which minor minerals are regularly extracted from 69 blocks whereas, the operation of 22 block got delayed due to some pending clearances. Those doing bussiness at these authorised blocks have secured it legally after contributing Rs 300 crore to Govt coffers by participating in e-auction.
Strangely, prior to this National bidding, the Govt used to get only meagre Rs 53 crore on annual basis from local contractors who are now cribbing and solely relied on thefts of minor minerals from nallahs and banned areas of River Tawi taking advantage of night.
Talking to JK Global News, O.P.Bhagat, Director Geology and Mining, Jammu said “Illegal mining in River Tawi is a complicated issue as it commenced in the night and mostly run by goons. The police is empowered to check it appropriately.