Geology & Mining Department refutes news report

Samba : The Department of Geology and Mining Department has rebutted a news story carried on an online news portal.
Terming the new story baseless and concocted, the Geology & Mining Department gave the detailed information about the whole incident.
The department has said that some people were agitating against the mismanagement at the end of Lease holders like not providing of form “A” and sometimes overcharging.
In this matter, the DMO Samba immediately visited the site and resolved the matter on the spot. However, few people said that the lease holders and their staff at ground level, soon after the departure of DMO Samba from the site, again started the same thing, on which Deputy Commissioner Samba directed the DMO to devise some strategy and on his disposal some other employees were placed at the site immediately.
The news portal reported that the DMO threatened the people, which is false. The department said, “No threat was given by DMO and no such statement was made by any person in the deputation.”
The portal in its news also reported that the people raised the issue of overcharging by block holders. In this regard, the enforcement of notified rates is the responsibility of the Administration and it will be ensured.
However, the people were also asked to refrain from any illegal mining outside the block which is often alleged by the block holders.
The persons in the deputation also assured that they don’t favour any illegal mining. “The whole conversation was held in a congenial atmosphere. There was absolutely no allegation made by anyone against the DMO who is assisting District Level Task Force (DLTF) in making best efforts to stop illegal mining and also address the genuine problems faced by all stakeholders” the department said.
Pertinent to mention here that District Level Multi Departmental Task Force and Tehsil level multi-departmental task forces have been entrusted to ensure enforcement of rates approved by District Administration, beside reporting any illegal mining activity in their respective areas.
Further, the DMO Samba issued a show cause notice to the lease holder of said area from where the complaints were pouring in after inspecting the block.
Thus, the department has refuted the news and categorized it as fake news.