Kathua : Acting tough, Mining and Geology Department has imposed Rs. 18 lakh penalty on Vasudev stone crusher for illegal digging and mining by using two heavy excavators in Taraf Tajwal area of Ravi River here on Friday.
During surprise late night checking alongside Ravi River, the team of Mining Department, led by District Mineral Officer (DMO) Rajinder Singh seized both excavators along with loaded and unloaded dumpers from the mining site.
The huge machinery of stone crusher including two heavy chain machines and two dumpers were brought to police post Bhagtali for safe custody. The drivers of other four dumpers and one JCB fled from the mining site.
The DMO informed that after seizing the vehicles including excavators, the mineral raised on the site and dug pits were also measured and accordingly penalty was imposed as per the MM(DR) Act of 1957 and SRO-105 of 2016 and also in the light of NGT and other orders of courts.
It is pertinent to mention here that one lease has been sanctioned in private land on the bank of Ravi but the stone crusher was excavating mineral one km away from the lease out areas, besides dispatching dumpers towards Punjab side without e-challans.
Meanwhile, a notice has also been served upon the owner of stone crusher to show cause for brining massive mineral as well as environmental degradation in the Ravi River where replenishment of mineral is not possible during rainy season.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Dr. Rakesh Minhas already instructed the mining department for taking stringent measures to curb the menace of illegal mining and illegal digging anywhere in the River beds or other areas of government as well as private land.
