Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
India

AAP minister involved in illegal mining in Punjab: Akali Dal

Darpan News Desk IANS, 11 Dec, 2023 04:11 PM
  • AAP minister involved in illegal mining in Punjab: Akali Dal

Chandigarh, Dec 11 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Majithia on Monday demanded a high court monitored inquiry or a CBI probe into the multi-hundred crore illegal mining allegedly being done in Ropar by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Harjot Bains in the name of desilting.

In a statement here, the SAD leader said despite the fact that desilting had been banned in the 2023 mining policy of the AAP government; massive desilting works were being carried out with heavy machinery to mine sand in Chandpura village in Anandpur Sahib tehsil currently.

"Even protests from villagers have not had any effect on either the mining department or the district police because the miners enjoy government patronage."

Asserting that large-scale illegal mining was being carried out in other parts of Ropar district by the minister and his associates, Majithia said simultaneously illegal mining was being converted into legal mining by imposing a fee of Rs 6 per cubic feet.

He said by doing this the AAP government was legalising sand which was being illegally quarried in areas where legal quarries had not been sanctioned.

"Such acts have made Punjab the virtual virgin island for illegal smugglers with no questions being asked whether material is coming from the state or outside," he added.

Asserting that this was sheer loot of the state exchequer, Majithia said "the entire AAP party from top to bottom is responsible for this as money procured from illegal mining is being used to fill the coffers of party leaders as well as bankroll the election campaign of the party in other states".

He said only an independent probe could establish the money trail from Punjab to Delhi and bring the guilty to book.

MORE India ARTICLES

Russia says buses ready to take out Indians, India says not without ceasefire

Russia says buses ready to take out Indians, India says not without ceasefire
Over 700 Indian students are stuck in Sumy and they are running out of basic necessities like food and water and they have been urging the Indian government to get them evacuated from there.

Russia says buses ready to take out Indians, India says not without ceasefire

Ukraine crisis: Over 7K Indians to be evacuated in next 2 days, says Centre

Ukraine crisis: Over 7K Indians to be evacuated in next 2 days, says Centre
Over 7,400 Indian nationals are expected to be evacuated under the 'Operation Ganga' in the next two days, the government said on Thursday. The Centre has initiated an airlift operation to evacuate Indians, who have found their way to the neighbouring countries of war-torn Ukraine.

Ukraine crisis: Over 7K Indians to be evacuated in next 2 days, says Centre

India warns stranded nationals of aerial attacks, tells them to learn few Russian phrases

India warns stranded nationals of aerial attacks, tells them to learn few Russian phrases
This advisory, prepared by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, warns about aerial raids, missile attacks, artillery shelling, small arms and gunfire, grenade explosions and 'Molotov cocktails', including by local people/militia.

India warns stranded nationals of aerial attacks, tells them to learn few Russian phrases

Third flight with 183 Ukraine evacuees lands in Mumbai

Third flight with 183 Ukraine evacuees lands in Mumbai
The flight IX-1202 with 183 passengers, including an infant, arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at around 5.40 a.m. The evacuees were received by Union Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Danve-Patil with flowers and words of solace as they trooped out lugging their belongings.

Third flight with 183 Ukraine evacuees lands in Mumbai

Indians pushed out of trains, bunkers in Ukraine: K'taka student appeals for help

Indians pushed out of trains, bunkers in Ukraine: K'taka student appeals for help
 "Indian students are being pushed out of trains, they are not allowed to board, if questioned they are being assaulted and guns are being pointed at them,". There are many incidents where Indians were asked to leave bunkers. Ukraninans are telling Indian students that India is not supporting them and why should they help them?

Indians pushed out of trains, bunkers in Ukraine: K'taka student appeals for help

PM Modi speaks to President Putin on safe passage of Indians

PM Modi speaks to President Putin on safe passage of Indians
The two leaders reviewed the situation, especially in the city of Kharkiv where many Indian students are stuck, and discussed the safe evacuation of Indian nationals from the conflict areas, an MEA statement said.

PM Modi speaks to President Putin on safe passage of Indians