A team of Mining Deptt Kathua today seized an excavator and 3 vehicles involved in illegal mining at Sahar Khad.Acting swiftly on a complaint lodged by local people of Kathera, District Mineral Officer Rajinder Singh along with mining guards rushed to Sahar Khad and seized the vehicles and machine.
The seized machinery include 1 excavator and 3 dumpers which were found involved in illegal mining in violation of rules. One tractor trolley fled from the spot, while action was also initiated against two dumpers for transporting minerals to Punjab.
The area of excavation in Sahar Khad was measured by the officials of the mining department and it was found that 1115 MT nallah muck has been lifted thereby resulting in large number of pits with visible exchequer loss.
The seized vehicles and excavator were kept in the custody of police post Bhagtali en-route Gandyal road till realization of penalty from the accused as per the rules of the department. The team also visited the sites of some stone crushers and checked the enforcement of notified rates of minor minerals.
The consumers were advised to purchase minerals from legal sources and transport the same on e-challans recently introduced by the department.Moreover, the general public was appealed to inform the Mining department about illegal mining in their areas, charging of exorbitant rates etc so that immediate action can be initiated against them.