JAMMU: Organised loot of ‘Grey Gold’ from river Tawi is a scandal worth Rs 1000 crore which warrants attention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for CBI probe to unravel the truth behind startling revelations made by former law maker of Bhartiya Janta Party.
This is in the interest of maintaining the sanctity of Raj Bhawan stance of zero tolerance against corruption in newly born Union Territory of J&K administered by Centre from Delhi.
Reliable sources in Geology and Mining Department disclose “The allegations of corruption in illegal mining are serious and the enquiry committee constituted by Commissioner/Secretary Manoj Diwedi vide order No 15-MNG-2021 Dated 4-5-2021 may not able to hold weight of those who figure prominently as alleged facilitators in his nexus”
Even most anti corruption crusaders and social activists termed this enquiry committee as an act of distraction which is a part of an eyewash exercise.
“Boom in construction activities everywhere in Jammu and it’s surrounding areas besides work on several big Govt projects worth thousands crores clearly indicts concerned department officials and key agencies are hand in glove with mighty mining mafia” alleged sources in G&M department.
Can this be possible when there is ban by J&K High Court on mining in Tawi river, questioned sources.
“Illegal mining scandal worth several crores is not a product of ‘one night stand’. It’s a tri party romance involving officials of G&M, police and mining mafia” alleged one DMO preferring anonymity.
“Entire affair of illegal mining is a hall of massive corruption which has assumed an alarming proportion for the last one and half year” he added.
Those remained at the helm of affairs in G&M Department during this time also owe explanation to the mining mess in Jammu, aver our sources.
They can’t go scot-free for their failure to curb ruthless plunder of minor minerals by mafia worth several crores and causing wilful loss to the state exchequer, reveals insiders. This is a significant area of probe and instead of prime postings, the government must probe their role for remaining mute spectator on mining loots in river Tawi and several places in Jammu region, added insiders.
Pertinent to mention here that Vikas Sharma and Ashwani Khajuria who were Director and Joint Director respectively in Geology and Mining Department, Jammu during which period this mess has allegedly assumed alarming proportion recently transferred and awarded with plum postings as District Magistrate in Doda and Administrator of GMC,Jammu respectively.
It’s no more a secret that despite ban by J&K High Court, sand, gravel and stones are extracted at free will during night from riverbeds of Tawi in Pargwal, Sidhara, Bajalta, Manwal and Domana, said Advocate Sheikh Shakil Ahmad.
Demanding intervention of J&K High Court, Advocate Ahmad said “Confiscation of few tippers Tractor trollies can’t absolve those entrusted with job of enforcing order of HC for ban on illegal mining in river Tawi”
Suggesting a way to plug loss worth several crores on monthly basis to state exchequer, Advocate Ahmad said “The LG led adminstration also needs to frame a panel comprising of Geologists and experts from institution of repute like IIT to work out extraction of accumulated minor minerals from Tawi riverbeds in a scientific manner and legal manner”.