Mining allegation defamatory: Transporters

Bathinda, June 29

Transporters today accused SAD leader and former MLA Sarup Chand Singla of defaming transporters over its illegal mining allegations at Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) land in Bathinda. Transporters today visited the GNDTP land to inquire about the illegal mining of sand.

YAD gheraoes FM’s office

The Youth Akali Dal led by president Parambans Singh Bunty Romana and SAD former MLA Sarup Chand Singla on Tuesday gheraoed Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s office over alleged illegal mining on GNDTP land here. The workers staged a protest outside the FM office.

Ghora Transport Association president Parvinder Singh said they were bringing sand from Pathankot after spending huge money on fuel. After Sarup Chand Singla alleged illegal sand mining, we all had come here to see the ground reality to find fly ash only, the said.

Further, he said the state government levied a heavy penalty of Rs 4 lakh on any vehicle caught involved in sand mining, so no transporter could dare to involve in this illegal activity. Moreover, to extract sand, crusher and water were required.

The defunct GNDTP has estimated around 2.20 crore tonnes of ash fly on 853 acres. Both government and private-run thermal plants provide fly ash free of cost to three sectors — cement, brick kilns and constructions. — TNS