North News
Chandigarh, August 29
Illegal mining is expected to be a central issue in the upcoming Assembly elections in Yamunanagar district, with Congress and other opposition parties preparing to challenge the ruling BJP over the matter. They argue that only a select few have benefited from illegal mining activities, which have led to significant revenue losses for the government and environmental degradation. Congress leader Satpal Kaushik has announced that his party intends to spotlight the illegal mining issue during the election campaign, The Tribune reported.
According to the Mines and Geology Department records, there are 32 authorized mining quarries in Yamunanagar district, most of which have been inactive for various reasons. Of these, 13 quarries have had their operations terminated due to outstanding dues the news outlet said.
The Mines Department has periodically acted against illegal mining and unauthorized mineral transport. It recorded 54 FIRs in 2018, 40 in 2019, 26 in 2020, 39 in 2021, 52 in 2022, 39 in 2023, and 14 in 2024 up to August 27. However, local residents claim that these actions are merely superficial.
Despite the closure of many mining quarries, the district still has 258 screening plants and 176 stone crushers in operation. This has led to allegations of illegal mining continuing unabated. Kaushik has called for an investigation by the CBI or another agency, stating, “Under the guise of illegal mining, there has been a massive theft of minerals, government revenue, and tax evasion.”
Environmentalists like Dr. S.L. Saini have raised concerns about the extensive damage caused by illegal mining to the district’s flora and fauna. He urges the authorities to take genuine remedial steps to protect the local environment from these harmful activities.
