DMO will act hard!
- Some goons are charging ‘Gunda tax’ from the vehicles carrying minerals.
jj correspondent
Jammu, Jul 03: How can some goons charge money from those who are engaged in business of extraction of minerals? Why not the administration taking serious cognizance of this loot? Which people are behind such open loot? Why not such goons are being arrested and sent to jail with for a long term with heavy penalty? These are very hitting questions and these should be answered and also taken as eye-opener.
The issue of illegal collection has surfaced in the area of Kandwal, Lalyal, Nadyal Sumb area of Tawi River by some anti-social elements of the locality. One person has lodged a complaint against the illegal collection of money as ‘Gunda Tax’ by some goons and he also urged the officers including District Mineral Officer Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Director Geology Mining Department Jammu and SSP Jammu to take the cognizance of the offence. Here I would like to mention that in this entire episode the poor consumer is being looted and has all the financial load goes to the poor consumers, who is unaware about all these mis-happenings.
The complainant on 26-06-2023 has lodged a written compliant to DMO Jammu and also sent copies to DC Jammu, Director Mining and SSP Jammu to take stern action to stop this illegal and unethical tradition of fleecing the people. He has further said in his complaint, ‘This unlawful practice has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, jeopardizing the legitimate mining operations in the region.’
He asked for to undertake a comprehensive investigation into this illegal collection of ‘Gunda Tax’ in the Kandwal, Lalyal, Nadyal Sumb area of the Tawi River’ He suggested to strengthen the enforcement mechanism to prevent any future instances of such illegal activities and added that collaborative efforts involving increased surveillance, regular inspection and stricter penalities will be instrumental in curbing the influence of these anti-social elements and ensuring a safe and conducive environment for legitimate mining operations.
When we contacted the DMO Jammu Gilshan Kumar Sharma and he said that the department is planning to establish the Mining Posts in respective areas and for this he had written to the concerned tehsildars to provide land for Mining Posts and till then the department will go for temporary Mining Posts. He said that the focus of department is on illegal mining and for proper mining. He said that those who have genuine permission for extraction of mining can lodge FIR with police against those who are looting them. He also said that he had already written to the concerned SDPOs to take action against the anti-social people who are charging money as ‘Gunda Tax.’ He said that he had advised not to extract during rainy season as it has to go for replenishment.
