Ensure hassle-free supply of sand, Punjab CM tells contractors
Darpan News Desk IANS, 07 Apr, 2022 10:39 AM
Chandigarh, April 7 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday categorically asked the sand contractors to ensure hassle-free and smooth supply of sand to the people at the rates fixed by the government.
Reiterating his commitment to ensure seamless supply of construction material to the people at the affordable rates, the Chief Minister said the current mining policy is being reviewed meticulously so as to formulate a new comprehensive pro-people mining policy.
He said the Mines and Geology Department is also now in the process to re-assess the available quantity of sand at the existing mining sites and subsequently, new sites would also be included in the forthcoming mining policy after comprehensive study.
Mann also said the geology department would be strengthened with requisite manpower and latest technology so as to enhance its capacity.
Responding to the issues raised by contractors about their harassment at the hands of police besides other muscle men acting on the behest of local leaders and petty political functionaries, the Chief Minister assured them of no interference and political pressure from any of his minister, MLAs or party volunteers.
"Despite all this, even in few remotest cases, someone still forces you to resort to illegal practices, then you should record the conversation either in audio or video mode and upload the same on the 'Anti Corruption Action Line' number 9501-200-200 and the guilty would not be spared at any costs," he said.
At the same time, Mann said if any complaint about malpractices being done by the sand contractors is brought into his notice, then they would also face the similar action, and not expect any sort of leniency from him.
In an apparent embarrassment for Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, his 'elder sister' Suman Tur on Friday described him a 'cruel' for deserting her elderly mother after father's death with an intention to 'grab family property'. She told the media here that Sidhu had abandoned her mother and she passed away on a railway station in 1989.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday demanded transfer of state intelligence officials, including the top brass, who face charges of compromising the security of Punjab and indulging in electoral malpractices to provide "illegal, illegitimate and immoral" help to the ruling Congress.
Due to incessant rains and water logging of fields owing to overflow of nearby natural drains during September-October 2021 in Delhi, crops of farmers have been severely damaged, the Delhi government said in a release, adding that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had taken cognisance of the matter and assessed that a relief package for crop damage was necessary to be provided.
The SKM also reiterated that the name, banner or platform of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha will not be used by any political party or candidate in the run-up to the Assembly polls in Punjab, scheduled on February 20.
Appearing for the Punjab government, Senior Advocate P. Chidambaram argued that Majithia has gone into hiding after the rejection of his bail plea in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and now he is appearing through counsel.
Interestingly, the move comes a week after neighbouring Madhya Pradesh permitted liquor sales at all its airports, select supermarkets in four major cities and also allowed issuing home bar licences to those earning Rs 1 crore or more annually.
