Shimla | July 19, 2016 : The Himachal Pradesh government will deal with an iron hand the issue of illegal mining in the state and offenders will face stringent action, an official spokesman said here today.

He said that following complaints of illegal mining on Pabbar riverbed, the Mining Department has conducted 341 surprise raids in the past two years.

As many as 130 cases have been registered in connection with illegal mining and Rs 3,93,900 fine collected.

The spokesperson said the state government has instructed the departments concerned to close all temporary link roads that connect to rivers, rivulets where illegal mining takes place.

(Source: http://www.business-standard.com/)