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.
The petitioner said the state had passed the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act of 2006 but it has never implemented it in case of appointment in judicial services.
In the run up to the assembly polls scheduled early next year, the BJP Punjab unit has launched several campaigns to strengthen its organisational structure at ground level. Sharma said that work is progressing at good pace for formation of a 21-member committee at each polling booth.
According to Sidhu, the department has issued sanctions under five phases for purchasing the straw management machines with subsidies ranging from 50 to 80 per cent.
On Tuesday, the Delhi Police had said that they have busted a Pakistan-based terror module and arrested six persons, including two people -- Zeeshan and Javed -- who were trained in Pakistan.
According to the police, the accused, Raju Chaudhary, who was arrested from Jammu has revealed during the interrogation that Wazir was shot dead on September 3 and four more people were present at the time of the incident. A police official informed that former NC leader, Wazir, was also given sedatives before being killed.
