The government has decided to take strong administrative action against the department’s officials and lower-rung staff who are found to be abetting illegal sand mining, as announced by the Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Mines and Geology Department Minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha.
Efforts to Combat Illegal Sand Mining
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of legally tenable use of the state’s mines resources, including yellow and white sand. The government is committed to utilizing the resources in a sustainable and responsible manner. He also instructed the officials to respond seriously to any complaint, whether anonymous or otherwise, received at the state headquarters.
Initiating Action Against Offenders
The department has announced rewards for the anonymous complainants to prevent illegal activities and irregularities. The special investigation team (SIT) has also detected large-scale illegal sand mining, transportation, and storage by various agencies in the Aurangabad district.
- Unsatisfactory performance of the district mines and geology office
- Involved officials and staff
- Involvement of a data entry operator and executive assistant
- Illegally stored sand recovered
The SIT has mentioned that the district mines and geology office failed to adequately address and prevent the illegal activities. Several officials and staff members were found to be involved in the illegal sand mining, transportation, and storage of sand.
- 51,000 cubic feet of illegally stored sand recovered
- FIRs lodged against the culprits
- Departmental proceedings initiated against the staff
A total of 51,000 cubic feet of illegally stored sand was recovered during the investigation, and follow-up actions have been taken. As a result, FIRs have been lodged against the culprits at the Aurangabad Mofaasil and Siriup police stations, and departmental proceedings have been initiated against the staff.
The Need for Vigilance and Accountability
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of vigilance and accountability in the department’s efforts to combat illegal sand mining. The government is committed to ensuring that the department’s officials and staff adhere to the laws and regulations governing mining and geology.
“The govt is committed to legally tenable use of the state’s mines resources, including yellow and white sand. Their illegal mining, transportation and storage would not be tolerated,” said Deputy Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha.
The government has also announced rewards for the anonymous complainants to prevent illegal activities and irregularities. The SIT’s investigation has also uncovered the involvement of a data entry operator and executive assistant in making illegal collections from the persons indulging in illegal activities.
| Departmental Proceedings | Initiated Against | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| 51,000 cubic feet of illegally stored sand | Recovered during the investigation | FIRs lodged against the culprits |
| Departmental proceedings initiated | Against the staff involved in illegal activities | Consequences to be determined |
The government is committed to utilizing the state’s mines resources in a sustainable and responsible manner. The Deputy Minister’s directives emphasize the importance of accountability and vigilance in the department’s efforts to combat illegal sand mining.
Preventing Illegal Activities
The department has announced rewards for the anonymous complainants to prevent illegal activities and irregularities. The government is committed to ensuring that the department’s officials and staff adhere to the laws and regulations governing mining and geology.
The Deputy Minister has emphasized the importance of the department’s officials and staff adhering to the laws and regulations governing mining and geology. The government is committed to utilizing the state’s mines resources in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Conclusion
The government has taken strong administrative action against the department’s officials and lower-rung staff who are found to be abetting illegal sand mining.
