Jammu Tawi, May 24: After a hiatus of over three years on inaction, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday directed all Deputy Commissioners within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to initiate action against the black marketers of minor minerals.
After remaining mute spectators for a long haul of clandestine extraction of minor minerals by the well-organised mafia during High Court ban in Jammu that resulted in huge black marketing of these minor mineral, the government issued an order that reads, “While exercising the powers conferred under rule vii of Government Order No. 1569-GAD of 2018 dated 22-10-2018 and rule 11 of SRO 302 of 2017 dated 19-07-2017, the Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have notified the maximum price/sale rates to be charged by lessees/license holders/sellers for the Minor Minerals like Sand, Bajri, River Bed Material, etc.
However, it has come to the notice of the Government that people have resorted to overcharging invariably at many places within the Union Territory thereby making the construction material unaffordable to the general public. These lapses have been viewed seriously by the Government and warrants immediate corrective measures”.
“Accordingly, it is impressed upon all the Deputy Commissioners to initiate strict action as warranted under the law against the black marketeers, defaulters and ensure strict implementation of the Price fixation notifications within their respective districts”, it added.
Meanwhile, in another order, the government has shifted the controversial District Mineral Officer and 3 others. The order reads following transfers and postings are hereby ordered with immediate effect:
Shiv Kumar, Geologist Grade-II, under orders of transfer as District Mineral Officer, Poonch is posted as District Mineral Officer, Udhampur vice Vishal Dogra, Driller.
Vishal Dogra, Driller, District Mineral Officer, Udhampur is transferred and posted as District Mineral Officer, Jammu vice Ankur Sachdev, Driller.
Ankur Sachdev, Driller, District, MineraI Officer, Jammu is transferred and shall report in the office of Senior Drilling Engineer, Jammu.
Javed Iqbal, Technical Assistant, presently posted in Laboratory Wing in the Office of Joint Director, Jammu is transferred and posted as Incharge District Mineral Officer, Poonch.
