Punjab Mining department terminated mining contracts of dozen districts
Kanwar inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
With the change of the guard in Punjab, the state mining department swung into action against irregularities done by mining contractors, the department terminated contracts of more than twelve districts for default of payment, in April month.
As per the documents, Punjab government had allocated block number 5 (involving Kapurthala, Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts) in 2019 to Friends and Co. Bakkar Mandi, Amritsar for concession quality of sand of 39.65 lakh MT for three years till March 1, 2023 as one year extended due to unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic and block number 3 (involving Moga, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Fazilka, Bathinda and Faridkot districts) in 2019 to Prime Vision Industries Pvt. Ltd. Noida, UP for concession quality of sand of 46.5 lakh MT for three years till March 1, 2023 as one year extended due to unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.
The Punjab Mining Department has also suspended the contracts of mining in block No. 1 of Ropar district and block No. 7 of Mohali, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts.
Mining department officials said that as per Punjab mineral rules, private company had to pay about Rs 34. 40 crore as annual contract for block number 5 (involving Kapurthala, Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts) and Rs. 40.30 crore as annual contract for block number 3 (involving Moga, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Fazilka, Bathinda and Faridkot districts).
“These firms fail to deposit the required installments in government treasury, as per the contract conditions. The mining department keeps on sending reminders to them to pay the amount but the contractors fails to deposit the installment” said a mining officer.
Later, the secretary cum director mining issue orders of termination with immediate effect under Punjab mineral rules and the formal orders were issued to mining firm by Executive Engineer cum district mining officer of drainage division Amritsar for block number 5 (involving Kapurthala, Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts) and Executive Engineer cum district mining officer Golewala drainage division Ferzopur for block number 3 (involving Moga, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Fazilka, Bathinda and Faridkot districts)
April 18,2022
