Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Nov 21: The Punjab Government has deputed a team of officers to Kathua to verify that whether the mining material dumped in various parts of the Pathankote area has actually been purchased from the J&K or is being stocked after mining in the State itself.
According to sources the team of officers deputed by DM Pathankote on the directives of the Government is reconciling records with Geology and Mining District Officer Kathua.
The Punjab Government has imposed a ban on mining in river Ravi but huge material is daily stocked in various areas of Punjab extracted from Ravi river and the Government has deputed the team to ascertain the facts whether the material is purchased from J&K or not, sources said.
However, there is a growing resentment in Kathua and surrounding areas against the mining and supply of the material to Punjab as the increasing mining from Ravi river is posing a threat to the ecology and environment, sources said, adding the people of the district have taken a serious exception to Geology and Mining Department’s failure in banning the mining from Ravi river as the increasing mining in the area has decreased the flow of water in the river and also posed a threat to the water bodies there.
The people have also expressed their serious resentment over extension of contract to a mining contractor after the expiry of his term by another six months saying that over 60 feet ditches have been dug in the Ravi river bed at various places and the mining is posing a threat to the railway and Ravi bridge at Lakhanpur.
Sources said, moreover with mining stopping the flow in Ravi river which passes through International border there is every apprehension of infiltration from the area.
The people have demanded a blanket ban on mining in Rivi river on pattern of riparian Punjab State and in case the Government fails to take a drastic step in this regard the people will not hesitate in launching a mass movement.
However, when contacted the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Jitender Singh said that he has written to the Department of Geology and Mining that no mining be allowed in the Ravi river on this side of the State as the same is posing a threat to environment and the Government has also imposed Section 144 in certain areas.
He said a team of Punjab officers is in Kathua to ascertain whether the material dumped in Pathankote and adjoin areas has been extracted from the Ravi river in that State or the same has been transported from J&K. The team is verifying the records he added.
When contacted Director Geology and Mining J&K said that the Punjab Government after ban on mining has started checking the facts whether the material including sand stones and bajri has been extracted from within the State or has come from J&K.
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