Date | Dec 15, 2016:

Agnihotri said that in order to decentralise the powers under the Mining Acts to take cognisance of illegal mining activities, the Government has delegated powers to 39 officers/officials of different categories and various departments like Revenue, HPPWD, I and PH, Industries, BDOs, RTOs, etc., to check illegal mining.

He said that it is also incumbent upon these departments to lodge FIR against the offenders causing damage to their properties.

A sub-divisional level flying squad headed by concerned SDM, having DSP and ACF as members has also been constituted to conduct raids against illegal mining, he added.

Industries Minister said that in order to ensure accountability and to exercise greater control on illegal mining activities, the department of Industries has evolved an inspection and reporting system in the hierarchical order.

Under this system, every officers of the department would have to undertake inspections of crusher/leases on mandated frequency and report to his immediate superior about the action taken by him in the field against illegal mining.

He said that the role of each and every official of the mining department has been defined and non-performing of duties would invite disciplinary action against such officials.

Further, the role and performance of every field officer would be reviewed at the directorate level.

Agnihotri said that all the Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to convene monthly meetings of all the duty holders to review the action taken by them against illegal mining.

(Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/)