Himachal Pradesh : Ensure strict action against those involved in illegal mining : Chief Minister
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over a meeting on the issues related to illegal mining activities in the state here today directed the officials to take strict action against the people doing illegal mining in the state.
Jai Ram Thakur said that Swan river of Una district and Mand area of district Kangra are more vulnerable from the point of view of illegal mining. The state government has set up five check posts at Gagret, Pandoga, Batheri, Pulian and Mehatpur in Una district to check mineral transportation and illegal mining.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has decided not to allow mining lease within two kilometer radius of Municipal Corporation/Societies and within one kilometer radius of Nagar Panchayat without the NOC from the concerned Corporation/Committee. Similarly, mining activities shall not be permitted within a radius of 200 meters of any water supply and irrigation scheme and against the stream of bridges and within a radius of 200 to 500 meters towards the flow of the stream.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has also made provision of punishment to deal with illegal mining more strictly. A fine of five lakh rupees and imprisonment of up to two years has been made against the person involved in illegal mining. He said that for illegal storage of mineral, there is a provision of fine of Rs 50,000 in addition to the market sale price.
He directed to ensure that no one is involved in illegal mining but at the same time steps should be taken to allow scientific mining for construction purpose and other developmental work.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the government would consider setting up more mining check posts in the border areas.
Additional Chief Secretary Industries Ram Subhag Singh assured the Chief Minister that effective steps would be taken to check illegal mining and ensure scientific and systematic mining.
Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu said that police officers would be given more legal powers to deal with cases of illegal mining.
Industries Minister Bikram Singh, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretaries Manoj Kumar and J.C. Sharma, Principal Secretary K.K. Pant, Director Industries Rakesh Prajapati and other senior officers also participated in the meeting.
MoU signed to set up an ammunition manufacturing unit in the state
Shimla. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 5000 crore was signed between the State Government and M/s SMPP Private India Limited in the presence of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur here today for setting up an Ammunition Manufacturing Unit for Tanks and Guns in the State.
Rakesh Prajapati, Director Industries on behalf of the State Government and Managing Director Dr. SC Kansal signed the MoU. About 8500 people will get direct and indirect employment from this industrial project.
Industries Minister Bikram Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Industries Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary JC. Sharma, Joint Director Industries Naresh Sharma, Executive Director of M/s SMPP Private India Limited Ashish Kansal and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
