Srinagar, Sep 24 (KNS): The District Mineral Office (DMO) in Bandipora has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining and transportation of minerals, seizing 167 vehicles and 44 illegal mineral dumps and registering 33 FIRs over the past six months, officials said on Thursday.
The enforcement operations were conducted between April 1 and September 24 across different parts of the district to curb unauthorised extraction, transportation and storage of construction material, including sand, boulders and gravel, they said.
According to the official Seizure and Enforcement Summary prepared for administrative review, fines and compounding charges totalling Rs 20,25,544 were realised from violators during the period.
The estimated value of minerals seized from illegal dumping sites stood at Rs 30,45,174, officials said.
District Mineral Officer Bandipora, Ghulam Nabi Pintoo, said the department has also generated Rs 95,40,364 in revenue during the current financial year through mineral royalty collection and enforcement measures.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
"Our enforcement drive against illegal extraction, illegal transportation and unauthorised dumping of minerals has yielded significant results, but our work is far from over," Pintoo said.
He said dedicated surveillance teams were working in coordination with the local administration and law enforcement agencies to check illegal mining activities.
"Strict action under law will be taken against habitual offenders attempting to plunder natural resources," he said.
The District Mineral Office said daytime patrols and night-checking checkpoints would be further expanded along key transport routes and quarry zones to curb illegal mining activities in the district.
(KNS)