Minister orders probe, suspends mining engineer over illegal mining

Panchkula: Haryana mining and panchayats minister Krishan Lal Panwar Monday ordered a probe into alleged illegal mining in Panchkula and directed the suspension of an assistant mining engineer, taking serious note of complaints raised at a public grievances meeting.

At the district public relations and grievance redressal committee meeting in Sector 1, the minister acted on complaints from residents of Khedawali near Kalka and Raipur Rani, who alleged large-scale illegal mining and inaction by authorities. Following this, assistant mining engineer Rajendra Prasad was suspended and an inquiry committee constituted.

Panwar also directed the police to step up night patrolling and initiate strict action against those involved. Rajya Sabha MPs Kartikeya Sharma and Rekha Sharma, present at the meeting, also called for action.

The meeting, attended by DC Satpal Sharma and senior officials, reviewed 13 complaints, with nine resolved on the spot and four kept pending.

The minister also ordered removal of illegal meat shops near Indira Colony within 10 days and deployment of a PCR vehicle in the area. Directions were issued to clear encroachments near an anganwadi in Ishar Nagar, Pinjore.

Other issues flagged included unauthorised commercial activity in Sector 3, damaged roads between Barwala and Bhareli, highway encroachments in Bagwali village and drainage problems in Batour.

Panwar stressed time-bound disposal of grievances and asked officers to attend meetings personally, stating the aim is to strengthen Panchkula’s grievance redressal system.