Budgam September 22 (KNS): Secretary to Government, Mining Department Amit Sharma today conducted an extensive tour of Budgam district to oversee Mining operations in different blocks of the district and to get first hand account of field activities there. He was accompanied by a team of officers including Joint Director Kashmir Nisar Ahmed, SDM Chadoora Dr Prince Hamid, DMO Dr G.D Bhat and others.
Secretary Mining Amit Sharma took a tour of the major mining areas of Budgam especially Doodhganga stream wherein two blocks are functioning and Shaliganga stream wherein one block is functional after the allotment to concerned leases through e-auction. He took a lead in understand ground position and issuance of e-Challans and public usage of e-Marketplace to ensure transparency in operations anfter the launch of G2B2C Website geologymining.jk.gov.in
Amit directed the officials and all stakeholders that there should be strict adherence to NGT guidelines issued from time to time regarding conduct of Mining activities.
DMO Budgam informed Secretary Mining Amit Sharma that 280 Illegal Mining Vehicles including JCB, L&T make were seized in current financial year till date through which a fine to the tune of ?55 lakhs has been imposed and deposited in the Government exchequer. DMO further disclosed that most of these vehicles have been seized when some habitual offenders try to transport mining material illegally during night hours.
Secretary Mining Amit Sharma directed his team to ensure spot redressal of genuine public grievances and appreciated the work of the officers of the department including the role of SDM Chadoora for taking lead for smooth Mining Operations in all three blocks of Budgam district.
In later part of the visit, Secretary Mining held in-depth meeting with Deputy Commissioner Budgam Syed Fakruddin Hamid who flagged few important issues before him. Amit issued spot directions to all the concerned officers to address them on a war footing basis. Before leaving, he also requested DC Budgam to extend full support to the Mining teams to check illegal mining especially during night hours and also ensuring uninterrupted supply of construction material in the form of clay, GSB and aggregates from reserved blocks of the district for ongoing projects of national importance like Ring Road, National Highway, etc.(KNS)