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.
Channi expressed regret while participating in a virtual meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi with Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of states and UTs to review the prevailing Covid situation as well as the ongoing vaccination drive.
Unveiling the first set of plans in his Punjab Model with focus on resurrection of Punjab, Sidhu, in the absence of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and his Cabinet colleagues, told the media here: "Punjab Model is people's model, an effort to give a roadmap to return power to people."
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that he "personally" feels that alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab had cost the BJP heavily.
India on Tuesday recorded 1,68,063 new Covid cases, taking the total tally to 8,21,446. Although the fresh infections were 6.4 per cent less than Monday when the country logged 1,79,723, the weekly positivity rate has climbed to 8.85 per cent and the daily positivity rate has declined to 10.64 per cent. On the other hand, 4,461 Omicron cases were recorded from 28 states.
Delhi reported a 25 per cent surge in Covid-19 cases after recording 19,166 fresh cases. With this, the infection tally has climbed to 15,68,896. Meanwhile, the city has recorded 17 Covid deaths on the second consecutive day, pushing the death toll to 25,177.
On Monday, after a detailed hearing in the matter, a bench, headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said the court will set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge to probe the PM's security breach and asked both the Centre and Punjab government to not move ahead with their respective inquiries into the matter.
