In a major administrative rejig, the Punjab government on Saturday reshuffled 32 IAS officers. Krishan Kumar, principal Secretary higher education is now principal secretary water resources and mines and geology.
The decision is taken by Punjab Government as a big move against mining mafias in Punjab.
Local activists allege that the sand mafia often works in alliance with the local administration and the government of the day. The sand mafia owns the state cabinet and then makes rules so vague they can be easily bent for illegal activities to be carried out in Punjab. To control this menace, IAS Krishan Kumar has been appointed.
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Mann Government has the biggest challenge to the mining mafia in Punjab. Multiple times they have been targeted by the opposition to take action against them. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, stipulates that any contractor who mines minerals has to pay royalty to the government of India. Around one-third of the royalty must be given to the state government. But, due to illegal sand mining, the government is incurring losses. Government enforcement agencies are trying their best to break the nexus. Therefore, the charge has been given to IAS Krishan Kumar.
1997 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, Krishan Kumar’s innovative programme,“Padho Punjab” was much applauded in the State. As Director General of Punjab School Education in 2007, he has significantly improved the standards of education, especially in rural and small town government schools. Will Krishan Kumar be able to control the mining mafia in the state or not that is still a question. AAP's big move might bring success to them.