Punjab clears setting-up of ED to check illegal mining

It will help in ramping up the State’s revenues, says Cabinet statement

To check illegal mining in Punjab, the Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the establishment of the Enforcement Directorate. An official statement said the ED, to be headed by a senior police officer not below the rank of DIG, will be set up in the Mining and Geology Wing of the Water Resources Department. “It will help in ramping up the State’s revenues by curbing the menace of illegal mining. The ED would help in checking and stopping unauthorised movement of minor minerals within the State and at the inter-State borders, in conjunction with the officials of the Mining Department. It will also facilitate prosecution of those indulging in illegal mining under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.” The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here.