HP to associate panchayats to check illegal mining, says CM

Shimla, May 1 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government will consider associating panchayati raj institutions in checking unscientific and illegal mining of river beds in the state.

Presiding over a high level meeting convened to discuss the modes to be adopted to check illegal mining in the state, he said mining guards would be appointed and authorized officers to carry raids to prevent illegal mining in river beds of the state.

Mr Singh said his government would be considering associating gram panchayats in regulating and checking mining activities besides issuing permits for manual domestic mining in the areas declared open.

The modalities would be chalked out to empower the panchayats to take up new assignment and contribute towards maintaining the environment of their areas, he said.

He said traditional rights of the stake holders of the area would be protected besides permitting carrying out of mining in the specified areas for their domestic consumption.

The mining department would be strengthened and more trained manpower, uniformed mining guards deployed to check, raid and exercise their authority to fine the defaulters carrying unscientific and illegal mining, he said.

The Chief Minister said besides Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts, the Station House Officer of the local police stations and junior engineers would be authorized to carry out raids and take action against the erring people.

He directed the authorities to erect signboards declaring the portion of the river beds declared open or closed for mining with necessary mining instructions.

UNI