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

Hardeep Singh Puri, Gen VK Singh & Kiren Rijiju leave for Europe to oversee evacuations

Hardeep Singh Puri, Gen VK Singh & Kiren Rijiju leave for Europe to oversee evacuations
Puri left by a special flight of IndiGo Airlines for the evacuation of Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine via Budapest. Union Minister General V.K. Singh is on his way to Poland to energize the government's efforts to facilitate Indians stranded on the Ukrainian side of the Polish border. 

Hardeep Singh Puri, Gen VK Singh & Kiren Rijiju leave for Europe to oversee evacuations

Modi chairs high-level meeting on Ukraine, reviews evacuation mission

Modi chairs high-level meeting on Ukraine, reviews evacuation mission
According to sources, Modi was briefed about the evacuation status and was informed that over 1,750 Indian students have returned to the country so far.

Modi chairs high-level meeting on Ukraine, reviews evacuation mission

India to help people from neighbouring countries stuck in Ukraine

India to help people from neighbouring countries stuck in Ukraine
Also, guided by India's motto of the world being one family, the Prime Minister said that India will help people from neighbouring countries and developing nations who are stranded in Ukraine, seeking assistance.

India to help people from neighbouring countries stuck in Ukraine

Cheap courses, global recognition draw Indian medical students to Ukraine

Cheap courses, global recognition draw Indian medical students to Ukraine
There are currently 14 major medical colleges in Ukraine in which more than 18,000 Indian students are pursuing MBBS and BDS courses. Out of these, about 1,000 have returned home while efforts are on to bring back the rest.

Cheap courses, global recognition draw Indian medical students to Ukraine

Modi speaks to Slovak PM about evacuation process

Modi speaks to Slovak PM about evacuation process
Modi thanked Heger for the assistance provided by Slovakia in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine, and for permitting special evacuation flights from India. He asked for Slovakia's continued assistance in the next few days with India undertaking a mission to evacuate other citizens from conflict zones.

Modi speaks to Slovak PM about evacuation process

'Can graver charges be imposed', SC seeks Sidhu's response in road rage incident

'Can graver charges be imposed', SC seeks Sidhu's response in road rage incident
Sidhu has urged the apex court not to punish him with a jail term in a 1988 road rage case in which he was let off with a meagre fine of Rs 1,000. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Gurnam Singh's family, submitted that he has moved an application seeking enlargement of the scope of the notice issued. 

'Can graver charges be imposed', SC seeks Sidhu's response in road rage incident