Mining Activities Reported in Punjab Despite Government Ban

The government of India has not permitted any kind of mining activity in Punjab. However, sand mining activities have been reported to be seen in Khizrabad in eastern Punjab. Illegal land mining has also been reported in Mohali.

“Most of the times, river bed mining takes place in the night as the sound of machines can be heard at a distance,” says Vaikundarajan.

The government gets a royalty of Rs 960 per truck for sand mining. One truck can carry 800 cubic foot of sand or stone. However, there are environmental limitations on mining. Illegal mining trucks can cost a customer as much as Rs 15000 per truck as compared to Rs 12000 per truck for a legal truck.

Some activists have claimed that the scam runs in crores and involves bribing of local authorities. Money is also extorted in the name of Goonda tax where trucks have to pay Rs 2400 at exit points.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered an investigation in the illegal mining matters in Punjab. This reminds us of a similar instance in south. VV Minerals, a leading beach sand mining company in Tamil Nadu, has been accused of amassing wealth through illegal sand mining. The State government had order a probe into the matter. The investigation team was unable to find any evidence against the company.

S Vaikundarajan, the founder of the company set up in late 1980s, insisted that the entire scam was a ploy by the business rivals to maim the company’s reputation.