An explosive sting operation, carried out by News18, has revealed that illegal mining of sand from river-beds is widespread in Punjab. The illegal mining is rampant without any fear of law and order. Despite the state government making many promises to curb the menace of illegal mining, the problem is still going on unabated. It is alleged that local administration is also a willing accomplice in the rampant illegal mining in the state. The High Court also observed the same. The Punjab and Haryana High court in ‘Gurbir Singh Pannu v/s State of Punjab and Others’ had observed, “The police, apart from lodging FIRs against drivers of trucks and tractor trolleys etc. are not pursuing the persons behind illegal mining as mining on such a large scale cannot be carried out by simple villagers/ drivers and requires financial muscle for purchase of excavators, trucks, tractors and a large labor force that would be financed by some persons of substantial means. The local administration and the police appear to be colluding/conniving, or turning a blind eye to illegal mining.”
The illegal sand mafia is so fearless that they even threatened the reporter of News18 who exposed them.
The illegal mining causes a lot of damage to the river, it changes course of river, erodes agricultural fields, ruins the forest cover and the lands of the village. And because of all this, the farmers suffer a lot but they are helpless in front of powerful sand mafia and the state administration also does not extend much help to them. But as usual instead of addressing the problem, the ruling government has found a way to politicize such a serious issue related to the lives of common people. Local Government Minister and the former cricketer Navjot Singh Siddhu wants a new Mining Corporation to deal with the rampant problem of illegal mining, while the Chief Minister is opposed to Siddhu’s idea. It is no hidden secret that the CM Capt. Amarinder Singh and Siddhu don’t see eye to eye. But when the rivalry between the two comes in the way of state’s interests, it starts becoming a problem. When it comes to the interest of the state, one should keep aside personal differences and work in tandem in order to ensure the betterment of the people of the state. The illegal-mining is not the only problem in Punjab, there are several other serious issues which need attention like unemployment, drug trafficking, roads, farmers’ debt, exodus of big industries, scandals in recruitment etc.
Both the leaders should work in tandem and show some maturity in the interest of the State. The inclusion of erstwhile BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu in the Congress has not gone down well with many state Congress leaders. The problem with Navjot Singh Sidhu is that he hardly listens to anyone, which is precisely why he had to leave the BJP citing differences with the central leadership. There are wide differences between the party ministers and Navjot Singh Sidhu which seem to be broadening day after day.
Amarinder Singh’s efforts in winning Punjab for the Congress seems to be going down the drain because of internal rivalries and factionalism within the state Congress. They can fight however much they want but they must ensure that because of their fight the Punjab and its people do not suffer.
