Govt loses huge revenue as royalty goes to mafia
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 5: Illegal mining of mineral blocks in river Tawi despite ban by the J&K High Court and river Manawar in Khour Sub Division of Akhnoor sector went on unabated even though these river blocks have not been put to auction by the Geology and Mining Department, causing massive revenue loss worth crores to the J&K Administration.
Official sources told the Excelsior that mining mafia in connivance with some insiders in the G&M Department are illegally operating in Nikki and Baddi Tawi area down-steam the fourth Tawi bridge, specially during night hours, despite the fact that J&K High Court has imposed a blanket ban on any mining activity in the river from Sidhra Bypass bridge up to the down stream Phallain Mandal bridge.
However, the sources revealed that in sheer violation of the High Court orders, massive digging in the river bed in Nikki Tawi has been witnessed these days. Even during the day, machines/ JCBs can be seen digging river bed and indulging in extraction of stones and sand from the river. At some places, even more than 10 feet digging has been observed. This is sure to deplete the water table in the area gradually, causing more water crisis in the coming years.
Interestingly, this all is happening under the nose of G&M Department, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Pollution Control and the Police authorities concerned. Just for showing their presence and action, hardly one or two vehicles are seized after a week, just to make headlines and befool the higher authorities. Even a few stone crushers falling along the Tawi downstream the 4th Tawi bridge, are allegedly indulging in open violation of the court directives with impunity, while the police and G&M authorities have also maintained silence.
“Not only this, several blocks in Akhnoor, Pargwal and Khour which have not been auctioned by the G&M Department, the mafia is brazenly indulging in illegal extraction of miner mineral. In Bardoh area of Khour, no auction was conducted in river Manawar Tawi blocks, spread over an area of about 30 kms, but Mafia is operating illegally and collecting roylty revenue from the Tippers/Trolleys and other vehicles operating in this area. Despite protest by the local Panchayat members and public several times, the mafia which is apparently hand in glove with some concerned Government officials are minting money and filling its coffers while the Government is loosing revenue worth crores annually.
In Jammu district, hardly 60 % blocks are auctioned which in rest, the mafia is operating illegally. Same is the position in some other districts including Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Rajouri and Kathua.
Sources further revealed that in Bardoh area of Khour a miner mineral dumping license was given by the District Mineral authorities Jammu to one person few months ago, but under the garb of that license, the people connected with the operation are openly indulging in illegal exploitation of miner mineral. The people took up the matter with the DMO Jammu and Deputy Commissioner Jammu for prompt action two weeks ago which is yet awaited.
Director, Geology and Mining, J&K, Om Parkash Bhagat when contacted, said that in entire Jammu and Kashmir hardly 20 % river and Nallah mining blocks area auctioned. He said as per the policy and norms, some areas are left open. Even in Jammu, more than 60 % blocks are not auctioned.
When asked even in those areas or blocks which are not auctioned, the mining mafia is openly collecting royalty forcibly from Tipper and Trolley operators, Bhagat said he was not aware and his staff tries to seize vehicles and stop illegal mining operations. When asked some of his staff at district level was hand in glove with the mafia, the Director expressed his ignorance over the matter and said some areas are left for the local public consumption.
When asked about illegal mining in Nikki Tawi area near Jammu, Director said there is total ban on mining activity in Tawi river from High Court. He said some people may be operating during night hours calendestinely. About illegal mining and massive digging in Ravi and Ujh in Kathua and Manawar Tawi in Khour, Director said he has directed concerned DMOs to keep strict vigil in these areas. In Manawar Tawi area of Khour, his department was creating 2-3 blocks shortly as the people of the area are dependent on this river for construction purpose, Bhagat added.
Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu region, Hamesh Manchanda when contacted said when a miner mineral block is allotted to a party/ contractor for auction, he is supposed to take No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Irrigation and Flood Control Department and concerned Executive Engineer issues the same with some directions/ binding on the party. He can not go beyond 4 ft down while digging and is asked not to initiate any digging near the banks of the river or a nallah. Even the mining work is not allowed 500 mt down or upstream a big road or railway bridge or any canal / hydraulic structure as well. He admitted that excessive digging beyond five to ten feet or more can affect the water table in that area.
Responding to a question, Chief Engineer said, if any such violation comes to the notice of concerned Executive Engineer or he receives a particular complaint, he is duty bound to immediately write to the concerned Deputy Commissioner and the District Mineral Officer of that area. They are competent to initiate action against them for violation. Even the Environment Assessment Authority can penalize the contractor for violation. When asked there is massive such violation in Nikki Tawi river in Jammu, Ravi river down stream Lakhanpur and Ujh river near Kote Punnu in Kathua, Manchanda said he was not aware of the matter and will direct concerned Executive Engineers under him to take cognizance of the matter.
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