PALAMPUR | August 25, 2016: Following serious observations made by Himachal Pradesh High Court yesterday while hearing the case pertaining to illegal mining in Palampur, the district administration has begun verification of lease of land granted to various stone crushers and other stake holders not in Palampur, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur but also in other parts of the district like Nurpur, Indora, Damtal and other border areas of the state where massive illegal mining has been reported in the past few years, causing huge loss to state exchequer.

The administration has received reports that a number of crushers have been functioning without legal documents. District authorities are worried how these stone crushers managed power supply connections from the HPSEB. Under rules no power supply connection can be activated without the NOC from Mining Department.

Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that the most of roads dismantled by the administration in past 15 days leading to the river bed were constructed by the mining mafia through forest lands and the officers concerned remained a mute spectator and initiated no action either to bulldoze the roads or fence the area which lead to illegal mining in Neugal river.

During a visit to Balla village, 15 km from here, it was noticed that mining mafia constructed road by cutting big rocks using heavy machinery to reach the river bed. It took 10 days to complete this road. However, the government agencies supposed to act remained unconcerned and never bothered to take action. Now SDM Palampur with the help of police and the PWD has dismantled this road.

The Irrigation and Public Health Department (IPH) is the worst victim of illegal mining as it has posed a serious threat to number of drinking water supply schemes and irrigation water channels, but till date not even a single complaint has been lodged with the police.

Neugal river is considered lifeline of residents of Palampur region as it feeds over 50 drinking water supply schemes and many irrigation channels.

The Mining Department should also be taken to task for adopting lukewarm approach as a result of which illegal mining in the district flourished. In fact, it is the Mining Department which collects royalty for mining and also grants lease to stake holders from time to time.

The state high court has sought status report from the district authorities but has not asked about forest, IPH, PWD, mining departments. Until and unless all departments were held responsible the illegal mining could not be checked.

(Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/)