A day after the Punjab Cabinet gave nod for the establishment of the Enforcement Directorate; to check illegal mining in Punjab, the Punjab Government today appointed Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) RN Dhoke as the Punjab’s first Enforcement Director for mining.
During the Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said the Enforcement Director, would keep a check on unauthorised movement of minor minerals within the state and at the interstate borders of Punjab, in conjunction with the officials of the Mining department.
Besides, the ED, mining, will also facilitate prosecution of those indulging in illegal mining under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. “Working closely with the Mining Wing of Water Resources department, the ED will also check that those involved in sand and gravel business do not overcharge on the sale price ceiling prescribed in the Mining Policy”, the spokesperson added.
During the cabinet meeting, it was announced that each of the 7 mining blocks (number may vary as per government policy) would be headed by an officer not below the rank of a DSP, with 21 Inspectors/Sub Inspectors at the district level (3 per DSP) and 175 Head Constables/Constables under them.
“This deployment may be altered/modified from time to time, keeping in view the functional requirements of the Enforcement Director. The police personnel in ED would be provided salary, equipment, arms, by the Police department. Any special equipment, if required, would be provided from District Mineral Foundation Funds”, the CM Punjab said.
In this endeavour, districts of Mohali, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Bathinda would be given greater attention to ensure effective legitimate mining operations, he further added.
Meanwhile, another transfer was ordered by Punjab Government today wherein Promod Ban, IPS, who was serving as IGP-cum-Director SSG CM Security, has been transferred to IGP, Ropar Range, Ropar.