J&K panel to look into allegations of illegal mining

According to the order, the terms of the committee include examining the issue of stone crusher units in Tawi river since 2018, measures to curb illegal mining in river Tawi in compliance of high court orders, and examine allegations made and representations received about high handedness of the department.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within a week’s time.

On Monday, senior BJP leader and former legislator Vikram Randhawa had alleged clandestine extraction of minor minerals from Tawi despite ban orders from the J&K High Court. He had also alleged that an official of the Geology and Mining Department was collecting money from mining mafia for allowing clandestine mining in Tawi river, adding that a part of the money so collected was also going to a Union minister and his personal staff.

While Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh had issued a defamation notice of Rs one crore to Randhawa and asked him to tender an unconditional public apology for levelling false accusations, the BJP’s disciplinary committee issued him a show cause notice.