Punjab CM announces reward of Rs 25,000 for mining violation
Darpan News Desk IANS, 10 Dec, 2021 12:02 PM
Chandigarh, Dec 10 (IANS) To ensure that the illegal sand mining is effectively nipped in the bud and prices of sand remain constant at the government fixed rates of Rs 5.50 per cubic feet, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi has announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for violation of norms.
He has directed district officials to keep a strict vigil at the mining sites. He also asked the Deputy Commissioners to declare the reward if proof is provided either in video or any other form about the violation of the norms.
The Chief Minister on Thursday late directed the officials to ensure that if any panchayat wants sand it should be provided free of cost from the mining sites. Also no charges should be levied from the tractor-trailers carrying sand. Only trucks should be charged the rate of Rs 5.50 per cubic feet.
Likewise, the Chief Minister also emphasized to increase the number of legal sites of mining and restart work on those sites that were closed down earlier. An official statement quoting the Chief Minister said no political interference would be tolerated as he is determined to crackdown hard on the culprits indulging in illegal sand mining.
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The Indian government, before taking any final decision on the resumption of international flight operations, is "closely monitoring" the situation emerging out of the detection and spread of coronavirus' Omicron variant.
On Sunday, Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to stop international flights from regions witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases. Meanwhile, Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital has been designated to treat patients testing positive for the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.
Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here seized 472.8 grams gold in paste form from seat pockets of a flight that arrived from Guwahati. Acting on specific intelligence, Customs sleuths recovered in gold paste form worth Rs. 23.33 lakh.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday exhorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept his proposal for complete waiver of farmers and farm labourers' debt, adding the state is ready to take over its share of debt burden along with the government of India.
Among other questions, the MPs had sought to know the number of cases registered against farmers in connection with the agitation; the data on the number of farmers who died during the agitation held in and around the National Capital; and whether the government proposes to provide financial assistance to the kin of farmers who died during the said agitation.