A pivotal meeting of the District Mining Task Force was held in the Collectorate Auditorium, chaired by District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ananya Mittal. The meeting saw the attendance of key officials including Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal, Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar, City SP Mukesh Lunayat, Rural SP Rishabh Garg, and other relevant departmental officers.
The District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need for an intensive campaign against illegal mining activities. He directed immediate and effective action against cases of illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals. He urged all concerned officials to rigorously investigate and take strict measures to curb these activities in their respective areas.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kaushal called for integrated actions involving the departments of Mining, Forest, Transport, Pollution, and Factory. He highlighted the necessity of coordinated efforts, stating that single departmental actions are insufficient to combat illegal mining and transportation. He instructed strict actions against vehicles and individuals involved in these illegal activities, invoking all relevant sections of the law.
The Task Force was instructed to conduct joint operations at the block level. Concerns were raised about inadequate measures against illegal sand lifting in the Gudabanda and Dumariya areas. The meeting concluded with directives for immediate FIRs against vehicles caught transporting minerals illegally and for the DMO to follow NGT guidelines rigorously. Responsibility for monitoring and auctioning seized sand was assigned to local Mukhiyas or Gram Pradhans.
Officials including DTO, SDO Ghatshila, DMO, and representatives from the Pollution and Factory Departments attended the meeting in person, while COs, DSPs, and Police Station Incharges participated via video conferencing.
