Punjab puts ban on mining from 7.30 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Violators will be dealt with strictly: CM

In a bid to curb illegal mining activities, the Punjab government has ordered a complete ban on mining from 7.30 p.m. to 5 a.m. across the State. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who chaired a high-level meeting to review the illegal mining situation in the State, asked the Mining Department to strictly ensure that no mining is undertaken by any authorised contractor in river beds or other areas after 7.30 p.m. and before 5 a.m. The Chief Minister said anyone, including officers and police personnel, found conniving in illegal sand mining operations should also be dealt with strictly. While directing State’s Director General of Police and the newly constituted Enforcement Directorate (Mining) to crack down strictly on any night mining activity, the Chief Minister, however, ordered that there should be no hindrance to the smooth movement of sand and gravel during the night in view of the high level of construction activity going on in the State. Availability of material at affordable price should also be ensured, he told the department, directing Principal Secretary, Mining, to coordinate with authorised contractors to bring down the prices of sand and gravel.