Mining: HC sets three months deadline to finalise proposals

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 24

Just about three months after Punjab registered three FIRs after initially denying the existence of unlawful checkpoints and collection of gunda tax near some mining sites in Ropar, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has set a three-month deadline for the state to finalise its proposals in the matter. The state was also bound down by the Bench to the numerous proposals put forth by it in its affidavits.

The suggestions include considering an amendment to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013, for making punishable the act of any person establishing check posts /nakas, physical or otherwise, for collecting royalty or checking slips for the same.

In its December 15, 2020, affidavit placed before the Bench of Justice Jaswant Singh and Justice Sant Parkash, the state had added the proposed rules/ amendments would be formulated, approved by the council of ministers and notified.

The affidavit added the department was developing a web portal with provision for online complaints’ submission to improve the reporting mechanism and control over illegal mining. A mobile application was also being developed to help online submission of complaints and for recording real-time location of the complainant and illegal mining spot. The e-mechanism for complaints’ submission was to be launched shortly.

It was also proposed that any vehicle used for transportation of minor mineral in the state would obtain mineral transport permit from the authorised officer. All such permits would be issued through online mode. This would help in monitoring the vehicle involved in transportation of minor mineral in the state.

It was further proposed that all wheel/chain mounted excavators/poclains involved in excavation of earth/minor minerals would be required to register with the department and fitted with the GPS to monitor their movement.

“We bind the state to various affidavits filed by it in the writ petition, whereby numerous proposals have been put forth. It would be appreciated in case all proposals as enumerated in affidavits filed by the state and detailed in our judgment are concluded within a three months,” the Bench added.

Observations on undertakings

• Punjab has put in efforts to plug loopholes existing in system regulating mines and minerals, which allowed unscrupulous elements to take advantage of the situation
• It is further evident specific responsibilities have been fixed, and officers concerned are duty bound to take action in case of any violation under their domain