Illegal transportation of minor minerals | 10 dumpers seized in Kathua

Kathua, Dec 5: To crackdown against illegal mining activities, a team of the mMining department led by District Mineral Officer (DMO) Kathua Rajinder Singh Rana initiated action against 10 loaded dumpers at Kathua here today.

During an operation, the team visited multiple crushers where minerals are dispatched to Punjab.The team seized all vehicles which were later handed over to police till realization of penalty from them, officials said.

During seizure, it was also found that all the dumpers were carrying expired e-challans of the crusher units with them which were also verified on the spot from the official portal of the department.

The DMO informed that no crusher unit is allowed to operate and load vehicles during night hours in the district and instructions have already been issued to work during day time but due to no entry in Punjab, the vehicles wait for a long time and their e-challans expire.

District Mineral Officer also informed that the action has been initiated as per the MMDR Act of 1957 and SRO-105 of 2016 wherein powers have been delegated to officers for controlling illegal transportation and illegal mining activities.

Over 300 vehicles and heavy excavators have already been seized by the department from Ujh, Tarnah, Sahar Khad, Ravi and other areas in the district for their involvement in illegal mining and illegal transportation of minerals.

Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr Rakesh Minhas has instructed the Geology and Mining department to keep check on vehicles involved in transportation of mining material and no one should be spared, if found guilty of illegal mining.