A concrete policy should be made regarding illegal mining: Kashyap
Former BJP state president Suresh Kashyap said that strict steps should be taken against illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh. The way cases of mining are continuously increasing in Himachal Pradesh is a matter of concern, in many places illegal mining business is going on under the protection of leaders and socially influential people.
He said on April 22 that illegal mining is not stopping in Sirmaur district. The forest, mining department and police keep receiving complaints of mining in various rivers of the district, but sometimes they conduct surprise inspections and catch some vehicles, issue challans and let them go. Challans of some are presented in the court. Despite that, mining is continuing. Mining is going on continuously in small and big pits as well.
The government confiscated the vehicles of the wife of its own CPS for illegal mining. The police confiscated the machinery of the family of a local Congress leader for illegal mining in Malpur area of Baddi. This was also done when the local people informed the police about illegal mining late in the evening a few days ago. People made a video of the mining and questioned the people involved. After this, more people of the area gathered and informed the Baddi police station and the SP. Mining was being done with four tippers and a Poklane. However, the police have confiscated only two vehicles. After that, a challan was also filed regarding this matter.
He said that cases related to mining are continuously increasing in the entire state but the government is often found silent on these matters. A total of 2610 cases of illegal mining were registered across the state from 1 January 2022 to 31 August 2023 and the latest figures are yet to come. He said that it is very important to stop mining because due to this the danger also increases in the state during the rains.
